White-Collar Crime Defense: Tackling Complex Financial Criminal Charges
- Posted on: Feb 5 2024
Although many people believe that white-collar crimes are not serious due to their non-violent nature, this is not the case. In fact, most white-collar crimes carry serious penalties, including prison time. Therefore, if you’ve been charged with a white-collar crime, you should work with an experienced criminal defense attorney to help you mount a strong defense. In this article, we discuss common white-collar crime defenses.
Types of White-Collar Crime
White-collar crimes are nonviolent and typically involve the use of deceit for financial gain. Common white-collar crimes include:
- Embezzlement
- Bribery
- Counterfeiting
- Corporate fraud
- Credit card fraud
- Forgery
- Identity theft
- Employee theft
- Financial fraud
- Money laundering
Common White-Collar Crime Defenses
White-collar crimes carry serious penalties, including prison time, expensive fines, victim restitution, probation, property forfeiture, community service, and more. Therefore, if you are facing white-collar crime charges, it’s imperative you mount a strong defense. Common white-collar crime defenses include:
Entrapment: Entrapment occurs when a police officer entices an individual to commit a criminal act. If you wouldn’t have committed the crime with which you’ve been charged without the influence of the officer, then you can argue that you were entrapped.
No intent: Most white-collar crimes involve an intent to commit an illegal act. Although this doesn’t require a defendant to know that what he or she did was illegal, it does require them to intentionally commit the act constituting the alleged crime. Therefore, if you can prove that you had no intent to take the actions with which you’ve been accused, then this is a valid defense to white-collar crime charges.
Lack of evidence: The prosecution must submit sufficient evidence to prove your guilt. If your attorney can demonstrate that the evidence presented is insufficient, then the court may dismiss your charges.
Illegal search or seizure: The police must follow strict protocols when seizing evidence from criminal defendants. If any evidence obtained by the authorities is a result of an illegal search or seizure, then the court will not admit it, and this can significantly strengthen your case.
Statute of limitations: For most crimes, the authorities have a limited amount of time within which to press charges. If your attorney can prove that the state filed charges against you outside of this period, which is commonly called the statute of limitations, then the court will dismiss your case.
Duress or coercion: Finally, if you committed a white-collar crime as a result of verbal or physical threats, then this may constitute coercion. Typically, the court will not convict a defendant who committed a crime solely due to coercion.
Contact a Virginia Criminal Defense Lawyer
If you are facing white-collar crime charges in Virginia, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. At Walker Jones, PC, our knowledgeable criminal defense lawyers understand the seriousness of white-collar crime charges. Therefore, when you come to us for assistance, we will work with you to develop a case strategy and aggressively defend you against your charges. Please contact us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced criminal defense lawyer.
Posted in: Criminal Defense, White Collar Crime
