Tallahassee White Collar Crime Attorney
White collar crimes often involve lots of money and high-profile defendants or public officials, with sympathetic victims on the other side. Florida state prosecutors and federal government lawyers alike love to take on white collar cases and zealously pursue them for a conviction. With a successful case, they can make a big splash in the media and make a name for themselves at their agency, and maybe make their careers on a big case.
Unfortunately, innocent individuals working at a company or government office can get swept up in these large operations and find themselves charged as a conspirator or even made a scapegoat. Defendants in these situations struggle to protect themselves and navigate their way around serious criminal charges.
Government agencies employ smart, aggressive lawyers to investigate and prosecute white collar crimes. To give yourself a fair and fighting chance, you need a smart, aggressive lawyer on your side who can go toe-to-toe with the state and federal attorneys, fight for your rights, and work to get you the best outcome available. Tallahassee white collar crime attorney, Luke Newman, P.A., offers decades of experience from a top-rated, board-certified criminal defense attorney who is committed to getting the best results for his clients. Call our office for a confidential consultation if you have been charged with or questioned about a white collar crime in Tallahassee.
What Is White Collar Crime?
White collar crime is a term that is generally applied to criminal offenses that are committed through means of deception or fraud, as opposed to force or the threat of force. All of the following, for example, are generally considered white collar crimes:
- Embezzlement
- Forgery
- Mail Fraud/Wire Fraud
- Medicare Fraud/Healthcare Fraud
- Tax Fraud
- Securities Fraud
- Pyramid/Ponzi Schemes
- Internet/Computer Crime
Another hallmark of white-collar crimes is that the definition of the offense, found in state or federal statutes, can be extremely complex, lengthy, and highly technical, so much so that it can be hard to know where lawful activity ends and a line to unlawful behavior has been crossed. For example, what is the difference between lawful active trading to boost a client’s stock portfolio and unlawful churning to boost a broker’s bottom line? What is the difference between legal aggressive tax avoidance and illegal tax evasion? Legal experts and scholars don’t always agree on what type of conduct runs afoul of a given statute, which can make it challenging to defend against accusations.
White Collar Crimes Involve Serious Penalties
Prosecutors often seek (and achieve) substantial punishments for people convicted of high-profile white collar crimes, including long stints in prison and fines that climb into the tens of thousands of dollars or more. Convicted offenders can also be ordered to pay restitution to crime victims, and their assets (homes, cars, jewelry, cash) can be seized and forfeited to the government. White collar crimes are also an area where prosecutors may be able to charge multiple counts, counting every transaction as a separate offense. Other circumstances can significantly raise the stakes and potential penalties of a white collar criminal conviction, such as when the victim is elderly, there are more than 20 victims, or more than $50,000 in involved.
Lengthy Investigations of White Collar Crimes Can Trip up Unsuspecting Suspects
Before any arrests are made for a white collar crime, the government often spends several months gathering evidence and building its case. They might approach you during this investigative phase for information or help in conducting their investigation. Your responses in this situation could wind up hurting you rather than helping by turning the government’s attention on you. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you make the right choices.
If you are approached by state or federal agents, or as soon as you become aware of an investigation into you or your place of employment, call an experienced white collar criminal defense attorney at Luke Newman, P.A. We can interface with the government on your behalf, advise you on whether cooperating is in your best interests, and negotiate appropriate immunity agreements that protect you. In the event you are to be arrested, we can work to influence what charges are brought and how, when and where an arrest is made. We’ll advise you on your options and zealously represent you whether negotiating a favorable plea that avoids jail time or vigorously defending against the charges in court. If you’ve already been convicted, Luke Newman is a Board-Certified specialist in criminal appellate law who can review the record and determine whether you have good grounds to appeal. Count on Luke Newman, P.A. for practical advice and effective representation in white collar criminal matters in Tallahassee.
Get Help With White Collar Criminal Charges in Tallahassee
If you’ve been charged with white collar criminal offenses in Tallahassee, call Luke Newman, P.A. for a confidential consultation regarding your options and the steps to take for a favorable outcome in your case.
