Phoenix White Collar Crimes Lawyer
White collar crimes are non-violent offenses that are considered criminal in nature. If you’ve been charged with a white collar crime or if you’re the subject of a white collar crime investigation, you need the services of an experienced and dedicated Phoenix white collar crimes lawyer to help you exercise your rights as a suspect or defendant.
A White Collar Crime Could Cause You to Lose Everything
Individuals facing an allegation of a white collar crime are often highly educated, but have little to no experience when dealing with the court system, state law enforcement, or federal law enforcement. You could lose everything that you’ve dedicated your life to building. You could be sentenced to state or federal prison and be forced to pay exorbitant fines and fees.
You need a Phoenix white collar crimes lawyer to help you strategize and determine the best possible defenses against your allegations. Your freedom and your livelihood are on the line.
What Are the Most Common White Collar Crimes?
Despite the fact that white collar crimes are not violent, they are incredibly serious. You’re being accused of making money in a way that is illegal. It’s considered a corporate crime. Sometimes, these crimes can still be perpetrated at the “street” level instead of against a business. Regardless of the alleged victim, the accusations made should be handled by an experienced Phoenix white collar crimes lawyer. The most common white collar crimes include:
- Fraud
- Insurance fraud
- Mail and wire fraud
- Mortgage fraud
- Medicare, Medicaid, or healthcare fraud
- Identity theft
- Embezzlement
- Forgery
- Credit card fraud
- Passing bad checks
- Computer crimes
You may have noticed that there are several types of fraud listed above. Fraud is a wrongful or criminal act that has an intended result of financial or personal gain. Insurance fraud involves an insurance company. Mail and wire fraud involves mail or wire communications. For example, using the US Postal Service or a money wiring company to defraud an individual of property (including their money). Mortgage fraud is a fraudulent act against a mortgage company; it generally involves misrepresentation of some kind to get or insure a mortgage. Medicare fraud is a form of healthcare fraud. It involves lying to the federal government for financial gain. Credit card fraud means that a fraudulent source of funds was likely used to obtain goods or services or that the use of the account was unauthorized.
Identity theft is another form of fraud. It involves getting someone else’s private information and using it for financial gain. It could be used to defraud a mortgage company or a credit card company. This crime can be charged on its own or in conjunction with at least one other crime.
Embezzlement is probably the most commonly recognized form of white collar crime. It is the stealing or misappropriation of money that doesn’t belong to you. Generally, it happens in a corporate environment. It is often charged along with fraud.
Forgery is a charge that means you’re accused of signing someone else’s name to a document of some kind or creating a replica of something. The document could be a legal document (such as a contract or loan agreement), a credit card application, or signing someone else’s name to a check without their permission. Works of art and money can also be forged. With money, it’s generally referred to as counterfeiting.
Passing a bad check means that the check provided as payment for goods or services comes from an account that is closed or that doesn’t have the required funds to pay the recipient. It is often referred to as check fraud.
Computer crimes reference a broad area of white collar crimes. Examples include fraud, larceny, hacking, modifying or damaging programs or data, releasing a virus or malware, interfering with another person’s ability to access their computer, using encryption to help commit a crime, falsifying emails, and stealing information.
Don’t Panic and Don’t Agree to Talk without Your Lawyer
If you’re investigated for or under investigation for a white color crime, don’t panic. Don’t agree to talk to law enforcement without your lawyer present. They may tell you that they can help you if you talk to them, but you should not believe them. Instead, immediately call a Phoenix white collar crimes lawyer to get aggressive representation. Don’t try to face federal or state officials on your own. They could try to pressure you into admitting to something you didn’t do. Protect yourself and your future.
To learn more or to schedule a free consultation, call us now at (602) 812-2015.
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