As a business owner, it’s important to have a clear understanding of business law to ensure that you do not unintentionally participate in illegal activities. Depending on the size of your business, it may be in your best interest to retain an attorney to safeguard you from any breaches down the road. However, if you find your business in hot water or under investigation, it’s important that you retain the services of a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Types of White Collar Crimes
White-collar crime can take on a variety of forms. Essentially, white-collar crimes are crimes that are carried out by a person in order to achieve financial gain. White-collar crime can significantly impact the economy and investors in a negative way. As a result, agencies like the FBI have made white collar/corporate crimes one of their highest concerns. Examples of white collar crimes include:
- Embezzlement
- Corporate Fraud
- Insider Trading
- Ponzi Schemes
- Forgery
- Copyright Infringement
- Money Laundering
It is a common misconception that white-collar crimes do not victimize anyone. This belief stems from the fact that white-collar crimes are usually non-violent. Unfortunately, this is far from true. When a person has fallen victim to a white-collar crime, their life can be impacted significantly. Because of this, agencies spend years gathering evidence to build cases in order to prosecute the accused to the fullest extent.
Criminal Defense Attorneys with Business Law Experience
Achieving an outcome that is in your favor will require several variables. Working with an attorney who has experience in both criminal defense and business law can work to your advantage. While the prosecution will work to build a case against you, your reckless driving lawyer Fairfax, VA trusts will be charged with proving that you are not guilty or were unaware of the criminal dealings that were occurring. It’s beneficial that you begin consulting with an attorney at the onset of an investigation against you. This will allow your defense attorney to begin strategizing your case in its’ very early stages. There are a number of defense strategies you attorney may look to when determining the best way to represent you in your particular situation, for example:
- Negotiating a plea bargain may be the best way to obtain a reduced sentence in situations where you are likely to otherwise receive a conviction.
- Your attorney may use entrapment as a defense strategy in situations where you committed crimes that you normally may not have committed because of tactics used by law enforcement to intimidate you.
- Argue that you had a lack of knowledge or were unaware of the crimes being committed
- If an attorney is able to prove that you had a lack of intent, you could get off for the crime you were charged with all together. This can be successful considering law enforcement will be working to prove that you intended to commit the crimes you were accused of.
The penalties for white-collar crimes can be steep, by obtaining an attorney with experience very early on; you have the opportunity of achieving the best possible outcome.
It may be in your best interest to contact a criminal defense attorney who is knowledgeable in this area of practice. By consulting with an attorney, and strategizing a defense, you may be able to obtain optimal results.
Thank you to our contributor Dave Albo – Attorney for his insight on white collar crime.