San Diego Criminal Lawyers Blog
White collar crimes may seem somewhat innocuous because they are not violent. Nonetheless, they do cause considerable harm. That’s why the government tracks such cases and charges them eagerly. These offenses rely on deception and abusing others’ trust. When this activity crosses state lines or occurs on federal property, it becomes a federal crime, which must be investigated and prosecuted by the IRS, the FBI, and/or the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). If you are facing federal white collar crime charges, you need a practiced criminal defense attorney on your side looking out for your rights.
Some Common White Collar Crimes
There are multiple crimes that fit into the category of federal white collar crimes. Some of the most common include:
- Bribery: Exerting influence on individuals in positions of power or trust with monetary inducements;
- Wire fraud: Using electronic systems such as the internet, email, etc., to engage in fraudulent activities for financial gain;
- Mail fraud: Using the U.S. Postal Service in the furtherance of fraudulent actions;
- Embezzlement: Misappropriating the belongings or monies of unsuspecting individuals.
The Federal Whistleblower Pilot Program
A Corporate Whistleblower Awards Pilot Program has been started up by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Through it, whistleblowers are encouraged to report fraudulent activity, and, if the information they provide leads to a conviction, they may eventually be rewarded with a portion of forfeited assets.
Penalties
The financial devastation that occurs after being duped by a white collar criminal is crushing for both individuals and businesses. This country says goodbye to over $300 billion annually due to these crimes, which makes prosecutors determined to get convictions for them. There is a range of penalties for a guilty verdict, which become more serious as the degree of financial harm rises. They include any combination of the following:
- Home detentions;
- Community confinement;
- Supervised release;
- Responsibility for the costs of prosecution;
- Restitution for victim’s losses;
- Fines;
- Property related to the illegal actions being forfeited;
- Imprisonment.
Defending Charges
Your experienced and knowledgeable defense attorney will examine the case against you and decide on a defense strategy that may include, among others:
- Arguing that you, too, were conned by others and were unaware that a swindle was occurring;
- There was no proximate cause;
- You had no intention of defrauding others.
Defending Your Rights
If you are facing federal white-collar charges, you are facing serious changes to the life you know. Now, more than ever, you need a strong, capable defense. At Boertje & Associates, our knowledgeable criminal defense attorneys always fight for the best possible outcomes for our clients. To discuss your situation, schedule a confidential consultation in our San Diego office today.