man commiting credit card fraud

Federal White Collar Crime Overview

White collar crime is not a legal term. It is a term used to describe a group of crimes that are non-violent and motivated by profit. Even though these crimes may sound more innocent than murder or assault, white collar crimes can cause severe damages for victims. The punishment for white collar crimes can be harsh. Anyone being investigated for a white collar crime should consult with a Seattle white collar crime defense attorney immediately to discuss legal rights and defense options. 

Examples of White Collar Crimes in Seattle

White collar crimes encompass a wide variety of federal and state crimes. Examples of crimes that fall within this category include, but are not limited to:

  • Embezzlement
  • Bribery
  • Money Laundering
  • Ponzi schemes
  • Conspiracy & RICO crimes
  • Insider trading
  • Copyright infringement 
  • Kickback schemes
  • Mortgage fraud
  • Bribery
  • Credit card fraud
  • Cybercrime
  • Forgery
  • Extortion
  • Public corruption
  • Corporate fraud
  • Mail fraud
  • Health care fraud

The similar characteristics of white collar crime are fraud, theft, lack of violence, and financial motives. The goal of a white collar crime is to take money or property belonging to another person or party. 

The Consequences of a White Collar Criminal Investigation Could Be Immediate

If you are accused of a white collar crime, your assets could be frozen. The courts allow government agencies to freeze assets that relate to criminal activity. 

Therefore, simply being accused of a white collar crime could have significant consequences. It could leave you without the resources you need to pay for a defense. However, white collar crimes defense attorneys understand the laws related to freezing assets. They understand how to fight in court to have assets unfrozen that are not directly related to suspected criminal activity. The key is to locate an experienced white collar defense lawyer in your area quickly so that you can take action to protect your money and property from unfair legal action.

Building a Defense Against Allegations of White Collar Crimes

In some cases, a person or organization may be aware that they are being investigated for white collar crimes. If so, it is prudent to hire an attorney immediately. Because of the seriousness of the charges and the potential penalties for a white collar crime conviction, the sooner you have an attorney involved, the better. 

Most white collar crimes are federal crimes. The federal government uses its vast resources to conduct intensive investigations. What you say and do during a white collar crime investigation can have a significant impact on the outcome of the case. 

Deciding whether to cooperate with an investigation and how much you will cooperate should only be made with the advice and counsel of an experienced lawyer. There may be instances in which you want to cooperate, but there may also be times in which cooperating could put you in danger of losing your freedom.

The penalties for a white collar conviction may include prison sentences, fines, home detention, forfeitures, restitution, supervised release, and reimbursement for costs of prosecution. You do not want to face these consequences and the full power of the federal government without a competent lawyer by your side.

Contact a Seattle White Collar Crime Defense Attorney

The perfect time to contact a Seattle white collar crime defense attorney is as soon as you suspect that you could be under investigation. Contact Jennifer today to discuss your situation in detail.

DISCLAIMER: This post is intended to share my perspective, insights, and some general information on white collar crime. It is not legal advice and is not intended to substitute for legal advice. You should consult an attorney to obtain legal advice for your individual situation and case.