A white collar crime is a financially motivated, non-violent crime committed mainly by a business or public office individual. When facing non-violent criminal charges, you may want to work with the best white collar crime lawyer near you to safeguard your reputation and standard of living. Depending on the nature of the crime, the prosecution may come from the state or federal government .

A conviction for white-collar crimes often results in jail time, home detention, fines, community confinement, forfeitures, supervised release, imprisonment, and/or restitution to the victim. A white collar attorney can help you if you have been accused or if you are attempting to recover money or assets lost through fraud.

What Is a White Collar Crime Lawyer?

A white collar crime lawyer is an attorney who specializes in helping citizens accused of white collar crimes navigate their criminal liability cases.

What Does a White Collar Crime Attorney Do?

An experienced white collar attorney helps defend the rights of persons accused of such crimes. Though the facts of cases vary, an effective attorney, engaged in the early stages of the matter, may be able to assess the facts, advise on the best course of action, and help to resolve the issue without going to trial.

When To Hire a White Collar Crime Lawyer?

Hire a lawyer for white collar crime near you as soon as you learn that you are being investigated for financial fraud or when you are served with a search warrant. Forms of white collar offenses include:

Bankruptcy, healthcare, insurance, or securities fraud;
Economic espionage and trade secrets theft;
Mortgage and real estate fraud;
Computer and internet fraud;
Environmental laws violations;
Intellectual property theft;
Financial institution fraud;
Money laundering;
Public corruption;
Insider trading;
Embezzlement;
Counterfeiting;
Ponzi schemes; and
Tax evasion.

If you are a victim of a white collar criminal, you may find a legal professional to help you recover what was lost. An attorney will work with you to gather appropriate evidence, initiate a civil lawsuit, and take preliminary steps to protect stolen assets. Reliefs that an attorney may help you seek include compensation, forfeiture, or disgorgement.

How Do I Choose a White Collar Crime Attorney?

Before hiring an attorney, do your research and work toward finding someone with the following attributes:

Specialization—Focus your search efforts on lawyers specialized in a field of interest related to your case. An attorney experienced in federal criminal defense will serve you well if you are being investigated for a white collar crime.
Search white collar crime attorneys near you—An attorney near you will be conversant with your state’s laws and requirements. Further, since the complexity of white collar crimes requires significant legal knowledge, local attorneys or law firms will be more accessible to you than those who are farther away. However, you may want to look for an attorney with litigation experience in the federal justice system.
Accolades and reviews—Using the Lawrina legal directory, consider if the attorney has any accolades, such as awards for outstanding performance. Read through reviews left by former clients and only shortlist those with positive reviews or awards for your initial consultations.
Proven results—You want to work with someone with experience representing clients in situations similar to yours. If you are being investigated, ask the attorney if he or she has experience supporting a process to close investigations without criminal or civil charges. When charges are inevitable, find out what legal strategies the attorney may use to minimize liability.

How Much Does the Average White Collar Crime Lawyer Cost?

Criminal defense white collar crime lawyers near you are likely to charge between $200 and $750 per hour. Fees may add up from $2,000 to $15,000, depending on the attorney’s level of experience and the complexity of your case.

Do White Collar Crime Attorneys Usually Charge for Consultations?

A white collar attorney may or may not charge for an initial consultation. Clarify with the attorney about potential charges when you call to book the meeting. During an initial consultation, the attorney listens to the facts of the case, and you can gauge his or her suitability.

For this meeting, bring any relevant documentation or evidence that may help give the attorney a clear picture of your circumstances and the legal issue you are facing. After the meeting, the attorney will provide you with preliminary legal advice and, if you decide to hire him or her, will develop a more detailed plan later. The attorney may bill you according to the agreed hourly rate for subsequent meetings.

South Carolina White Collar Crime Lawyers