Financially motivated criminal acts committed by professionals or businesses are classified as white-collar crimes. Crimes of this nature usually involve fraud or abuse of power, without violence.
White-collar crimes, despite being non-violent, have high stakes. Such crimes, including fraud, money laundering, and tax evasion, may be highly penalized. If you are being investigated or facing charges for a white-collar offense, contact an experienced California white-collar crimes lawyer to investigate the matter, structure a strong defense, and represent you in court.
The criminal defense lawyers at Aron Law Firm work diligently to protect our clients’ interests and legal rights. We work with you so that you understand what the law is, how it works, and the options available to you. Informing, educating, and guiding clients are paramount priorities of our firm. Informed clients are better prepared to make decisions, so together, we may achieve the best result in your San Luis Obispo white-collar crime case.
Common Types of White-Collar Crimes in California
A white-collar crime is any financial crime that negatively impacts a person, company, government, or the stock market. The white-collar criminal, in most cases, holds considerable authority, power, or trust—they might be a business partner, political figure, banker, broker, or other professional.
The following are some common white-collar crimes in San Luis Obispo:
- Bribery: An illegal act consisting of the exchange of money and other things of value to influence the behavior of public officials
- Fraud: Intentional dishonest acts to obtain economic or other gains, including tax fraud, insurance fraud, bank fraud, mortgage fraud, wire and mail fraud, healthcare fraud, and securities and exchange fraud
- Embezzlement: The misappropriation of financial resources or assets by individuals or groups
- Money laundering: Illegally acquired money is concealed through an elaborate series of banking or commercial transactions in order to hide its source
- Forgery: The act of creating or modifying false writing for the purpose of deceit, most frequently manifested by falsifying another person’s signature on a legal document
- Extortion: Violence, fear, or the presumption of authority used to coerce people to surrender their property, as in cases of blackmail
- Perjury: Perjury is the act of lying under oath
Regardless of your circumstances, the Aron Law Firm is committed to preserving your freedom and defending your good name. Our San Luis Obispo white-collar defense attorneys are focused, passionate, and experienced. If you have recently been arrested or are the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation, take advantage of our consultation. Proactive behavior may make a difference in the success of your case.
Potential Penalties for White-Collar Crimes in San Luis Obispo, California
White-collar crimes don’t involve physical harm, but they may cause considerable financial hardship to individuals, families, businesses, and the U.S. economy. A court’s sentencing decision considers the extent to which a victim was harmed as a result of the crime. The court considers several factors in your case, such as your criminal background, when determining an appropriate sentence length, fines, or restitution period. The following penalties may be imposed following conviction of a white-collar crime:
- Jail or prison sentence
- Probation
- House arrest
- Forfeiture of assets
- Fines and restitution
California penalizes white-collar crimes severely. What makes the penalties more stringent is the amount of money involved. Once a certain monetary threshold is reached, white-collar crimes may be charged as a felony. A felony conviction on your record doesn’t just carry harsh penalties, but it also makes it hard to find work, build credit, or apply for housing. It is for this reason that our San Luis Obispo criminal defense lawyers intervene on your behalf and act as a voice of reason to the people deciding your punishment.
Possible Defense Strategies for White-Collar Crime Charges
At the Aron Law Firm, the San Luis Obispo white-collar criminal defense lawyers have successfully tried a significant number of cases in both civil and criminal matters. With our detailed analytical skills and thorough strategic planning, we prepare each case for trial efficiently. Our lawyers get to know our clients’ cases inside and out, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses to determine the proper course of action.
Listed below are some common strategies that may be used against white-collar crimes, whether you are charged by the state or federal government. Always be mindful that every situation is different. Hiring an effective defense lawyer may give you a better chance of crafting a defense that leads to a successful outcome.
- Lack of intent: Prosecutors must prove that you intended to commit the crime. Suppose you make a significant error on your tax filing, for example, but the error was unintentional. That may be an example of lack of intent and consequently a defense to an allegation of a white-collar crime such as fraud.
- Entrapment: Investigators may attempt sting operations when they suspect someone of criminal activity. In entrapment cases, the defense must prove that the engaging members of the police influenced the crime via their conduct.
- Incapacity: The inability to comprehend the suspected criminal acts caused by physical or mental incapacity may constitute a defense for the accused.
- Non-fraudulent statements: A common defense for making a false statement is the argument that you did so “in errors of judgment.” You believed you were telling the truth but were incorrect. In addition, not all deceitful statements constitute fraud. Opinion statements alone are not enough to constitute criminal fraud.
Crimes of white-collar nature are serious matters in San Luis Obispo and around California. The individual circumstances in your case may determine the criminal defense strategy to be employed. No matter what type of white-collar crime you face, you must find reliable legal counsel to construct a sensible defense.
San Luis Obispo White-Collar Criminal Lawyers on Your Side
At the Aron Law Firm, we have established a reputation for providing excellent legal representation across a wide range of criminal cases. Led by former District Attorney William M. Aron, our firm is known for its expertise in complex financial matters, which help defend those accused of white-collar crimes across California.
To discuss your white-collar case with a lawyer at the Aron Law Firm, complete our contact form or call us at (805) 500-0759 for a consultation.
