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Philadelphia White Collar Lawyers
White collar crime involves theft without violence or the threat of violence. These crimes are not street crimes. As per the FBI, white collar crimes are “characterized by deceit, concealment or a violation of trust.” The defendants in these types of cases are often executives who want to keep their names out of the news. Some examples of white collar crime might be embezzlement, insider trading, money laundering, securities fraud, falsification of financial information or even Ponzi schemes. White collar crimes are aggressively pursued by both state and federal investigators and prosecutors. Most of such crimes are charged as felonies that carry long prison terms.
Don’t Incriminate Yourself
If you are being investigated or charged for or charged with a white collar crime, you will be needing the representation of an experienced and effective Philadelphia criminal defense attorney. Investigations involving these types of crimes are often protracted and complicated. To protect against self-incrimination, a target of such an investigation or the subject of such an arrest shouldn’t provide any type of statement or testimony without the benefit of their attorney.
Stigmatized for a Lifetime
Prosecutions for white collar crimes are becoming more and more common. Restitution and fines can be overwhelming. Minimum security prisons often aren’t an option either. Some crimes have minimum mandatory sentences too. Assets might also be illegal fruit of the crime, and those can be subject to seizure. A conviction for a white collar crime shows potential employers moral turpitude, and that stigma can last a lifetime. An aggressive posture against white collar crime charges is pivotal.
Defenses
An experienced and thorough criminal defense attorney will open several avenues of defense in these types of cases. Documents, accounting methods, flipped witnesses and situations that were created to entice the defendant and obtain inculpatory evidence can all be questioned. Maybe somebody higher up the company’s ladder compelled the defendant to commit or participate in the crime. Other defenses might involve the lack of requisite intent, entrapment or statements that simply weren’t fraudulent.
Collateral Cases and Consequences
Many white collar defendants are in professions like law, medicine or accounting where licensing is required. Even if an attorney prevails on prosecutors not to bring criminal charges, the client might still be facing disciplinary action by his or her licensing body. Clients who face licensing issues are often in need of a criminal defense attorney who is experienced in handling such collateral issues.
Nearly all people who are the subject of a white collar crime investigation have no experience at all in the criminal justice system. Although they might be aware of the fact that they’re being investigated, they fail to consult with a white collar criminal defense attorney. That’s a huge mistake. Always remember that the prosecution has the burden of proving you guilty of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. A statement or confession might be just what the prosecution needs to firm up an otherwise weak case. Without an attorney being present, you might just give one. Invoke your right to remain silent along with your right to an attorney, and contact our offices as soon as possible. We hold the prosecution to its burden of proof.