If facing any type of criminal charge, you understand that your future is at stake. If convicted of a crime, you could find yourself facing a range of criminal penalties that may include time behind bars, expensive fines and more. Consequences can also impact other areas of your life, such as your professional opportunities, ongoing child custody cases, your personal reputation and more. Regardless of the nature of the crime, you will benefit from taking any type of criminal charge seriously.
This is also the case when facing white-collar crime. These types of crimes typically lack an element of violence, but that does not mean that you should not vigorously defend yourself. Any type of financial crime is a federal-level offense, and you could face years or even decades behind bars. A strong criminal defense strategy is essential, starting with an understanding of what you are up against.
What is a white-collar crime?
White-collar crime is any type of financially motivated criminal offense committed through deceit or theft. It often takes place in the business realm or commercial areas, involving significant amounts of money. These types of crimes can be simple one-on-one crimes or complex operations involving multiple parties. Common types of white-collar crime include:
- Embezzlement — This type of white-collar crime occurs when someone who owes a fiduciary duty to another violates that duty by taking the money for personal gain.
- Securities fraud — This takes place when someone with insider information about a company makes trading decisions based on this knowledge, also known as insider trading.
- Tax evasion — This occurs when someone intentionally skips paying taxes or pays less than he or she owes by falsifying tax forms, hiding assets or illegally transferring assets to another person.
Other types of white-collar crime include identify theft, credit card fraud, health care fraud and more. These cases are complex and difficult to prosecute, and you will benefit from seeking defense counsel as soon as you learn of an investigation into your activities.
Your best defense options
The most effective defense strategy for you depends on the details of your individual case. An assessment of the prosecution’s case, the details of the allegations against you and any supposed evidence can help determine the ideal direction for your defense plan. As there is much at stake for you, you will benefit from seeking guidance from a West Virginia legal professional as soon as possible.