Federal White Collar Crime Defense Lawyer in West Palm Beach
At one time, the federal government virtually ignored white collar crime, except for the most egregious offenses. However, the federal government has more recently waged a war against non-violent, white-collar crime, meaning it has ramped up its investigations and prosecutions. Unfortunately, this renewed enthusiasm means investigators sometimes ignore your constitutional rights when investigating alleged crimes. On top of that, the prosecution sometimes overcharges individuals in order to apply pressure to get information from you.
White collar crimes typically have hefty fines, lengthy prison sentences, and other penalties. You will also lose your personal and professional reputation if convicted. With so much at stake, you need to have an attorney by your side to fight for your rights. As a sole practitioner, our West Palm Beach white collar crime lawyer will give your case his undivided attention every step of the way.
What Is White Collar Crime?
White collar crime is an umbrella term that includes various types of fraud such as:
- Embezzlement
- Money laundering
- Health care fraud
- Identity theft
- Kickbacks
- Theft of intellectual property
- Bribery
- Securities fraud
How To Know You Are Under Federal Investigation
It is wise to consult with a West Palm Beach federal white collar crime defense lawyer once you discover that you are being investigated. There are various signs that indicate you are being investigated for a white collar crime. First, federal agents might knock on your door and ask to speak with you. Or they might send you a target letter telling you that you are under investigation. In still other cases, the government might execute a search warrant at your home or business or issue you a subpoena. In any event, time is of the essence, so call Ronald Chapman today to discuss your legal options.
Examples Of White Collar Crime
White collar crime takes place in numerous ways. For instance, white collar accounting fraud occurs when people intentionally and deliberately manipulate and falsify records to make the business appear financially stronger than it is.
Embezzlement is another white collar crime the federal government often investigates. While employees are often charged with embezzling from their employees, this is not always the case. For instance, if a lawyer misuses a client’s funds, he or she can be charged with embezzlement.
While these are just two examples of white collar offenses, there are several others, so reach out to our white collar crimes defense attorney in West Palm Beach today if you have been charged or are under investigation.
Responsible Corporate Officer Principle
The federal government uses the Responsible Corporate Officer principle when investigating and charging people with white collar crimes. According to this principle, high-ranking officers should know what is going on inside their companies. This gives the government latitude to charge people who were not involved in criminal activity. In many cases, the federal government uses this to get high-ranking officers to talk.
Defenses Against White-collar Crime Charges
After reviewing all the evidence, your white collar crimes defense attorney in West Palm Beach will begin strategizing. While each case is different, common defenses include lack of intent, lack of knowledge, coercion, and entrapment. Due to the amount of evidence and complexity of these cases, it is important to contact an attorney the moment you know you are under investigation or have been charged. That way, the lawyer will have time to go through all the evidence and develop a defense strategy.