White-collar crimes are non-violent offenses that can be charged at the state or federal level. While these offenses do not usually involve physical acts of violence, the law handles these with extreme severity and the legal punishments can be wide-ranging.
A Winter Park white-collar crimes lawyer can review the evidence in your case and identify the most potent defense strategies. Your unwavering defense attorney provides support and guidance throughout the legal process, while working to maximizing your chances of achieving a favorable outcome.
White-collar crimes include a variety of criminal acts which are typically motivated by financial interests. These offenses often involve deception to get a result that would not have been achieved by any other means.
White-collar criminal charges are commonly leveled against individuals in a position of authority who are accused of using illegal methods to secure monetary or some other form of personal gain. However, private individuals may also be charged with one or more of these offenses. Common examples include:
Any white-collar crime must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt for the prosecution in Winter Park to meet its burden for a conviction. If you have been arrested by the Winter Park Police department on suspicion of committing a criminal violation of this nature, or have already been charged, you need to speak with an attorney without delay.
We have extensive experience defending those accused of white-collar crime and achieving positive case results. We can defend you both in and out of the courtroom while vigilantly protecting your rights at each stage.
Depending on the details of an alleged crime, the charge may be categorized as a misdemeanor or felony offense. Many white-collar crimes are felonies, which carry considerably harsher prison sentences, financial penalties, and other punitive long-term outcomes than misdemeanors.
For example, embezzlement can be a misdemeanor or felony offense, depending on the value of the goods that were allegedly stolen. Embezzlement of goods valued below $300 is a second-degree misdemeanor, which can carry up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine as punishment. If the goods were valued between $300 and $20,000, that crime becomes a third-degree felony, punishable by a financial penalty of up to $5,000 plus incarceration of no greater than five years.
Another common white-collar crime, money laundering, can be anywhere from a third-degree felony all the way up to a first-degree felony. First-degree felonies can carry a prison term of up to 30 years, plus up to $10,000 in financial penalties.
Crimes like extortion, fraud, tax evasion, and bribery can all carry the tough sentences associated the different degrees of felonies in Florida. A second-degree felony white-collar crime can be punishable by up to 15 years in prison, as well as fines.
Individuals with a prior criminal record may face tougher sentences, including lengthier terms in prison. A Winter Park attorney could delve deep into a white-collar criminal charge to expose any weaknesses in the prosecution’s case or viable defenses. Entrapment, lack of evidence, or illegal search and seizure are just some possible defense angles that may apply to your specific situation.
White-collar crimes often revolve around financial fraud or similar offenses, but the penalties can include lengthy prison sentences, fines, restitution, and other lasting consequences. A criminal record could affect your ability to secure work in the future, to exert civil rights like the voting, and is likely to inflict permanent reputational damage.
A Winter Park white-collar crimes lawyer might be able to negotiate with prosecutors to seek a lowered charge or favorable plea agreement. We may even be able to provide evidence or challenge evidence provided by the prosecutor’s office that gets the case dismissed altogether.
You need an attorney with in-depth knowledge of various criminal laws who will leave no stone unturned to defend your future. Give our office a call today to receive legal advice from a skilled criminal defense attorney and discuss the next steps for your case.
The Umansky Law Firm Criminal Defense & Injury Attorneys
