(813) 252-1529White-Collar Defense Attorney in Tampa
Protecting Your Reputation and Career From Criminal Charges
When people think of criminal charges and long prison sentences, they often think of violent crimes like assault, burglary, or even rape or murder. However, there is also another category commonly referred to as white-collar crimes because they were traditionally committed by those in the business world who would wear a white shirt and tie.
White-collar offenses are not violent crimes, but the ramifications of white-collar crimes can nevertheless impact thousands of innocent people. Convictions for the most egregious of these crimes may be penalized with lengthy prison terms.
What, exactly, are “white-collar” crimes? Most non-violent financial crimes — when fraud and deception are used to take money or property unlawfully — are categorized as white-collar crimes.
Depending on the details, these crimes may be charged as misdemeanors or as felonies at the state level or the federal level. Convictions for white-collar crimes are often followed by civil lawsuits filed by victims who are seeking to recoup their losses. Those who are convicted can face years behind bars and away from their families, as well as steep fines and other financial losses.
The potential penalties for white-collar crimes are significant, and that’s why it’s critical to have experienced legal representation on your side. Attorney Patrick B. Courtney is a former prosecutor who knows exactly how these crimes are investigated and prosecuted, making him uniquely suited to help those charged. Call (813) 252-1529 today for a free case evaluation.
What Crimes Are Considered White-Collar Crimes?
The category of white-collar crimes is fairly broad, and it encompasses a variety of charges that can be brought about in the state and federal courts. White-collar crimes are usually non-violent, and the victims are typically banks, other financial institutions, and governmental agencies. However, any wealthy individual can be a white-collar crime victim. Below are some examples of common white-collar crimes:
- Embezzlement
- Forgery
- Insurance fraud
- Healthcare fraud
- Credit card fraud
- Money laundering
- Mail fraud
- Violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Investigations into white-collar criminal activities can sometimes last for months or even years. Because white-collar criminal suspects generally pose no imminent danger to the public, investigators can take their time to build a persuasive case and compile an abundance of evidence. However, this means that by the time the prosecutor is ready to bring forth charges, the case is strong.
White-collar crimes — especially insurance fraud and healthcare fraud — are on the rise in Florida, and in their efforts to combat these crimes, law enforcement officials and prosecutors sometimes make a mistake and accuse an innocent person. The criminal justice system is designed to ensure that only cases that have sufficient evidence result in a conviction, but this doesn’t always happen. It is possible to be falsely accused of a white-collar crime, and if this happens to you, you need a defense attorney who is familiar with both state and federal law to help you defend yourself.
What Should You Do If You Have Been Accused of a White-Collar Crime?
If you are targeted by a white-collar criminal investigation, it’s important to try to “get in front” of the investigation. The right attorney’s intervention with investigators, for example, can save you more than time and money. It can save you from months of apprehension and anxiety and ensure you understand how the state or federal law applies to your case. It’s critical that you don’t offer any information or answer any questions with an attorney present. Politely insist on your right to remain silent and to have legal counsel. Hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to start working on your case and helping you get justice.
How Does Tampa Penalize Convictions for White-Collar Crimes?
The penalties for white-collar crimes are severe under Florida law, and it’s important to be realistic about what you’re facing so you can make informed decisions for your defense. In some cases, a good white-collar criminal lawyer may be able to prevent criminal charges from being filed against you. If that’s not possible, your lawyer may be able to negotiate a plea arrangement that you can live with — something that satisfies all parties involved.
Penalties for a White-Collar Criminal Offense
The penalties for white-collar crime convictions depend on the details of the crime and the amount of money or property involved. What follows are the maximum penalties that may be imposed after a conviction for a white-collar crime in Florida:
- For a second-degree misdemeanor: a fine of $500 and 60 days in jail
- For a first-degree misdemeanor: a fine of $1,000 and a year in prison
- For a third-degree felony: a fine of $5,000 and five years in prison
- For a second-degree felony: a fine of $10,000 and 15 years in prison
- For a first-degree felony: a fine of $10,000 and 30 years to life in prison
Finally, if someone commits two or more related white-collar crimes involving $50,000 or more, that person can be prosecuted for a first-degree felony punishable upon conviction with a $30,000 fine and 30 years in prison.
How Do Defense Lawyers Fight White-Collar Crime Charges?
If a criminal charge is filed against you, do not try to act as your own lawyer. Instead, exercise your right to remain silent, insist on your right to a lawyer, and do not speak to police officers, investigators, or prosecutors unless your own lawyer is present. Once your attorney arrives, you will be able to speak with them privately. They will ask you questions about what happened, and it’s important to tell them the whole truth. They need all of the information to be able to properly represent your rights and interests and decide on a defense strategy.
White Collar Criminal Defense Strategy
When an attorney develops a defense strategy in a white-collar crime case, the first step is to examine the prosecution’s evidence. There are usually weaknesses in the case and alternate interpretations of the evidence. You may have been coerced, entrapped, or framed for the crime.
Most laws that govern white-collar crime require prosecutors to prove a defendant’s criminal intent. If someone makes a financial mistake that was entirely unintentional, the lack of criminal intent should result in the dismissal of the charge or a jury returning a not guilty verdict.
Should a White-Collar Defendant Agree to a Plea Bargain?
If you are innocent, you should be represented by an attorney who will use every available legal tool and tactic in your defense. However, if the evidence against you is substantial, and if a conviction is inevitable, the state may offer you a lesser sentence in exchange for a guilty plea.
As mentioned previously, a plea bargain may, in fact, be your best option, but don’t accept any deal — or sign any legal document at this time — unless your white-collar criminal defense attorney recommends it. However, it’s important to ensure you fully understand what signing a plea deal means for your future. You will have a criminal conviction on your record, and this can follow you for the rest of your life.
Get Sound Legal Advice and Aggressive Defense Representation in Tampa
Tampa white-collar defense attorney Patrick B. Courtney has been practicing law for more than 24 years. He’s worked as a prosecutor, so he has substantial experience on both sides of white-collar crime cases. He knows how to win justice on a client’s behalf.
Pat Courtney is a Tampa white-collar crime attorney who represents clients in Manatee, Pasco, Hillsborough, Polk, Pinellas, and Sarasota counties. Call his law offices at (813) 252-1529, or complete the online contact form here on this website.
