White Collar Crimes

White-collar crimes are prevalent in businesses and corporations throughout the United States. These crimes occur in the context of someone taking advantage of a position of trust to embezzle or to encourage people to engage in some fraudulent scheme.

White-collar crimes carry harsh penalties that can last a lifetime. You will likely suffer from job loss, suspension, or revocation of professional licenses if convicted. Retaining assistance and seeking legal advice from our credible California criminal defense lawyer at the Law Office of Andrew Dosa could be crucial when facing these potentially severe consequences. Contact our criminal defense law firm now and schedule a free initial consultation.

White-collar offenses are prosecuted aggressively and have severe consequences. Although white-collar crimes are non-violent and only involve monetary loss, they should not be taken lightly. Your reputation is at stake, and you could face substantial fines and long-term incarceration.

Due to the complex nature of white-collar crimes, anyone facing such charges must seek legal advice from our skilled Alameda white-collar crimes attorneys at the Law Office of Andrew Dosa as soon as possible. When you hire us to represent you, we will:

• Collect sufficient evidence to help improve your defense
• Conduct a thorough internal investigation of your criminal charge
• Help explore your legal options
• Bring your criminal defense case to trial if necessary
• Negotiate with the prosecution to have your criminal charge reduced or dropped if possible

We have successfully defended individuals charged with identity theft, fraud, embezzlement, or other white-collar crimes in Alameda County and its surrounding areas. We have over two decades of experience in criminal defense, business and civil litigation, personal injury claims, and estate planning. Schedule a free initial consultation with our law office today to discuss your options and explain the criminal defense process.

What is a White-Collar Crime?

A white-collar crime refers to non-violent, illegal acts committed to obtain money or some financial gain. It involves using professional deception to coerce or extort unsuspecting victims or gain finances illegitimately. Each white-collar crime may involve deceit, concealment, or an abuse of trust.

White-collar crimes may involve small amounts of money or millions of dollars. Due to the economic nature of these crimes, the defense and the prosecution of a white-collar crime are generally document intensive. Financial records, including company financial statements, securities information, and tax documents, are often presented as evidence. If you’re accused of committing a financial crime, our reliable Alameda County white-collar crimes lawyer may be able to help you determine the best course of action in your case and begin building a solid defense on your behalf.

What are the Common Types of White-Collar Crimes?

White-collar crimes cover a broad range of offenses. They vary in range, complexity, and severity, depending on the circumstances of the case. A knowledgeable Alameda white-collar crimes attorney can help with a variety of white-collar crimes, including:

Fraud

Fraud is a crime that generally involves deceiving someone for monetary gain. It is considered a crucial offense and can carry a felony charge. The severity of fraud charges depends on the type of fraud, the amount involved, and the specific victim of the crime. Prevalent fraud charges include:

• Accounting Fraud
• Bank Fraud
• Securities Fraud and Commodities Fraud
• Identity Theft
• Insurance Fraud
• Healthcare Fraud
• Credit Card Fraud
• Mortgage Fraud
• Welfare Fraud
• Tax Fraud
• Workers’ Comp Fraud

Embezzlement

Embezzlement is fraudulently taking a property entrusted by someone else to you or a property belonging to someone else. An example of embezzlement as a white-collar crime is when a politician or campaign official misappropriated campaign funds to cover personal expenses.

Bribery

Under California law, bribery is giving a public official anything of value with a corrupt intent to unlawfully influence that person’s action or opinion in any public or official capacity. This includes bribery involving:

• Executive Officers
• Judicial Officers
• Jurors
• Public Employees
• Legislative Officers
• Witnesses

Money Laundering

Money laundering involves taking money gained from illegal activity and making it appear to come from a legitimate source. Laundering money can be used to hide the proceeds from illegal gambling, bribery, drug trafficking, drug sales, or other unlawful cash dealings.

Ponzi Schemes

A Ponzi scheme is a type of financial investment fraud where investors are paid profits from more recent investors instead of through legitimate business activity. Early investors make good returns, while late investors make little or nothing.

What are the Penalties for White-Collar Crimes?

White-collar crimes in California can be punished as misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the facts surrounding a criminal defense case. The penalties for white-collar crimes vary. While some penalties are graver than others, it depends on the amount of money involved. Our skilled Alameda, CA, white-collar crimes lawyer can fight to have your charges dismissed or reduced and avoid severe penalties.

Beyond the penalties imposed by a court, a conviction for a white-collar crime can have long-term social consequences. You may lose your job and professional license. Some of the most common penalties for white-collar crimes include:

• Lengthy imprisonment
• Hefty fines
• Probation
• Restitution to the victim
• Permanent criminal record

What are the Possible Defenses Against White-Collar Crime Charges?

Being charged with a white-collar crime can make you feel discouraged and hopeless. However, remember there are numerous defense options for your situation. The prosecution must prove every legal element of your white-collar crime charge beyond a reasonable doubt. Our qualified Alameda criminal defense attorney will carefully review every aspect of your case to determine the most solid defense available under the law. Here are some of the common defenses often used in white-collar crime cases.

False Accusations

White-collar crimes are usually well-planned. It is also possible that the person who committed the crime framed a setup and made it look like the defendant did it.

Lack of Intent

Convictions for white-collar crimes require the prosecutor to present facts or evidence showing that you committed an offense out of intent. The crime you’re accused of committing might be a mistake you unintentionally made. If you had no intention of engaging in unlawful activity, you might be able to defend against the charge.

Insufficient Evidence

One of the possible defenses against a white-collar crime accusation is to argue that the prosecutors were quick to charge you for a crime without sufficient evidence. You may claim that the testimony given by the alleged victim is not credible and reliable.

Entrapment

When investigating crimes, law enforcement officers may set up an operation to try and catch suspected individuals. Although this investigative method is allowed, law enforcement cannot coerce an individual to commit a crime. You could use entrapment as a legal defense if you committed a white-collar crime because the police intimidated you to catch you.

Call Our Seasoned Alameda White-Collar Crime Attorney Now!

Although white-collar crimes are not considered violent, they are crucial and could have long-term repercussions. If you or a loved one has been arrested for a white-collar crime, you’re likely feeling stressed and anxious about your future. It’s important to understand that you do not have to face these charges alone. Our experienced Alameda white-collar crimes attorneys at the Law Office of Andrew Dosa can review the details of the allegations against you. 

Our criminal defense law firm understands the criminal justice system inside and out. We are well-prepared to take on your case to obtain the best possible outcome. Call our law office today for a free, no-hassle consultation to review your legal options.