White Collar Crimes
White collar crimes are nonviolent, usually financially-oriented theft crimes that are committed in the workplace or using workplace resources. Although they do not directly harm individuals, the repercussions of white collar crimes can seriously damage businesses large and small, as well as the individuals in those businesses. On a large scale, some white collar crimes can even affect the economy as a whole and the government. If you have been charged with a white collar crime, it is important that you retain skilled legal counsel immediately. A Minneapolis, Minnesota criminal defense lawyer at our firm can give you more information about the charges levied against you as well as your potential defenses.
Types of white collar crimes include:
- Antitrust Violations
- Bank Fraud
- Blackmail
- Bribery
- Copyright Infringement
- Corporate Espionage
- Counterfeiting
- Embezzlement
- Environmental Violations
- Extortion
- Forgery
- Identity Theft
- Insider Trading
- Money Laundering
- Ponzi Schemes
- Public Corruption
- Racketeering
- Securities Fraud
- Tax Evasion
- Wire Fraud
Common Misconceptions
Many people believe that because the crimes are nonviolent or “white collar,” that the penalties are not as severe. This could not be farther from the truth. Many white collar crimes are violations of federal law, meaning they are investigated and prosecuted by powerful federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC). White collar criminals can be sentenced to decades in state or federal prisons, and it is not uncommon for someone convicted of a white collar crime to have to pay tens of thousands of dollars in fines in addition to repaying the money stolen and restitution to victims.
The Twin Cities Law Firm, LLC Can Help
The investigation of a white collar crime can be a long, involved process, and may go on for months or years. A person may be one of the targets of a criminal investigation, and not know it until formal charges are filed. You should retain an experienced Twin Cities Law Firm attorney in the matter as early as possible. As soon as you suspect you may be involved in an investigation. The complex nature of a white collar criminal prosecution means that your exposure may not be clear in the early stages of the investigation. You may damage your case and risk your freedom by saying or doing something in the early stages of an investigation. A defense lawyer should certainly be consulted before any meeting with law enforcement, however innocuous it may seem. Remember, the police officer is not your friend in these situations.
Sometimes, after you are charged with a crime, your criminal defense lawyer can have the charges dropped as a result of negotiations with the prosecutor. In other cases, the prosecutor will agree to drop the more serious charges if you agree to plead guilty to a lesser charge, or to cooperate with an ongoing investigation. The experienced attorneys at the Twin Cities Law Firm will explore all options with you. You will receive a realistic assessment of your case, based upon the facts of your case.
Contact Us
White collar crime can be a misdemeanor or felony. Whether you’re facing criminal charges or simply being investigated for a writing a bad check, identity theft, forgery, credit card fraud or embezzling from an employer, call us.
Contact the Twin Cities Law Firm to get an experienced defense lawyer with the trial skills and negotiating skills you need on your side. Call the Twin Cities Law Firm today.
