The Law Offices of R. David Williams, P.A., has the experience and skill to defend you if you have been charged with a white-collar crime.
White-Collar Crimes Lawyer in Fort Lauderdale
Not all criminal activity is violent. Some crimes are emotionally hurtful, while others have significant financial effects. White-collar crimes can fall into the latter category.
Florida law defines these types of crimes as “a conspiracy to commit or the commission of any felony crime … that pertain to theft or fraudulent practices.” White-collar crimes often target people of a higher socio-economic standing, such as doctors, lawyers, business owners, bankers, etc. Some people may refer to these crimes as “economic crimes.”
If you have been accused of such an offense, The Law Offices of R. David Williams, P.A., has the experience and skill to defend you. Contact our Fort Lauderdale white-collar crime lawyer today.
Types of White-Collar Crime Cases
There are many examples of white-collar crimes. Because these crimes involve large sums of money, the penalties can be harsh. White-collar crimes include:
- Identity theft
- Health care fraud
- Accounting fraud
- Counterfeit securities
- Grand theft
- Credit card fraud
- Pyramid schemes
- Mortgage fraud
- Forgery
- Embezzlement
If you are facing a white-collar crime charge, you need to talk to our Fort Lauderdale white-collar crime lawyer today. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case.
Penalties For White-Collar Crimes
Since white-collar crimes can affect the victims’ finances and mental and emotional well-being, Florida law deems that the consequences for white-collar crime convictions should be harsh. Convicted defendants could face prison terms and pay heavy fines.
The specific penalties depend on various factors. These include how many people the perpetrator victimized and how much money was involved. Other factors are the type of criminal offense, the identity of the victims, and the criminal background of the alleged offender.
A white-collar crime that victimizes one person may result in a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by one year in jail at the most. However, if the crime affects many people, it could be a third-degree felony, which could put the offender behind bars for up to five years. Other white-collar crimes can be second or first-degree felonies. In these cases, the offender could spend up to 30 years in prison and pay up to $50,000 in fines. Restitution payments to the victims are also part of the penalties.
Defense Possibilities Against White-Collar Crimes
Because white-collar crime is so serious, you can’t afford to have anything less than a highly experienced lawyer on your side. Your white-collar crime lawyer will carefully examine all the details of your case and search for viable defense strategies.
First and foremost, your lawyer will work diligently to get your charges dropped. Another possibility is to argue for a reduction of charges in your case. Your lawyer may call into question the reliability of witnesses or evidence. Defense strategies may include mistaken identity or a claim that you were unaware that you were committing the acts.
Schedule a free consultation with a Fort Lauderdale white-collar crime lawyer today to explore your legal defense options.