California
Federal White Collar Crime Lawyers
A white-collar crime charge can have a massive impact on your life. Just an accusation alone can have far reaching consequences on your reputation, as well as your personal, professional, and business interests.
That’s what makes retaining an attorney with experience in white collar defense so important, as soon as you are aware an investigation is underway or looming. Early action can help your attorney get ahead of the process and potentially avoid an indictment.
These types of cases can get very document-intensive and be very complex . We at At SKJM Law Firm have the resources and the experience required to defend our clients against federal charges such as healthcare fraud, PPP fraud, RICO Act violations, Foreign Corrupt Practice Act violations and any other related white collar crimes.
Circumstance of every case are unique to that client, and one of the most valuable things we do for our clients is provide clarity about their situation. We’ll give you a realistic picture of potential outcomes based on the evidence of the case, so you can make the best decision about how you would like to proceed.
Retaining SKJM means you retain the power of a well-staffed firm of highly trained professionals and top-tier attorneys with extensive history of successful defense for our clients against federal criminal charges.
California Federal White Collar Crime Defense Attorneys
Trust the Leading White Collar Crime Lawyers in California to Safeguard Your Rights and Your Future
White-collar crime describes a wide range of nonviolent offenses, all of which occur in business or commercial environments with the goal of securing financial gain. A large number of white-collar crime legal cases involve high-achieving individuals who have obtained notable success in their professional field.
Federal white-collar crimes are those which violate federal law. These cases make up the greater part of all white-collar crimes and are federally prosecuted. The penalties sought for federal crimes are typically more harsh than non-federal crimes, which makes it critical that an accused individual seek out an experienced and proven white-collar crime attorney with expertise in federal court.
Our expert defense attorneys for white-collar crime in California have found that the vast majority of cases are highly complex. In many cases, individuals who are accused of white-collar crimes are driven by diverse motivations such as the pursuit of profits and success. Many white-collar crimes in California occur over an extended period of time and involve sophisticated, technical, and often highly intricate actions.
Types of White Collar Crime
At SKJM our lawyers can provide you with the skills of white-collar crime defense if you have been accused of one or more of the following criminal activities:
Bribery
Clearly defined as the acceptance or offer of anything of monetary value in exchange for influence on a public or government employee, bribes can include payments or gifts and are typically used to obtain favorable treatment. Both the individual offering the bribe and the individual that accepts it can be legally charged in many cases.
Under 18 U.S.C. § 201, there are specific penalties for both indirect and direct bribery. Whether the attempted bribery was accepted or refused, an individual is still eligible for prosecution. A federal bribery conviction can result in significant fines of up to three times the equivalent monetary value of the bribe or a federal prison sentence of up to 15 years. Additionally, a convicted individual can be disqualified from holding any government position in the U.S.
When being investigated for bribery, you must contact a specialized bribery defense attorney in California. This white-collar crime is typically investigated by federal authorities instead of local law enforcement. It entails a very detailed and lengthy investigation on the part of federal law enforcement and government agencies.
Consumer Fraud
Consumer fraud charges cover any trade practices considered unfair or deceptive, specifically in relation to consumer transactions. However, intentional deceit is not required for an individual to be charged and convicted of consumer fraud.
Consumer fraud comes in various forms, such as practices connected to advertising, telemarketing, selling, and/or the provision of services and/or goods. Subcategories include credit fraud, healthcare fraud, credit card fraud, insurance fraud, health insurance fraud, and business fraud. Federal consumer fraud charges can be filed against any individual deemed to have involvement in a consumer-directed scam, such as identity theft, Ponzi and/or pyramid schemes, internet scams, or auction fraud.
It is not unusual for individuals to be unaware that they are being investigated, and investigations can span many years before charges are filed. A conviction can result in significant fines and/or imprisonment. Regardless of the type of consumer fraud criminal charges you may be facing, your first priority should be retaining the legal counsel of an aggressive white-collar crime attorney from SKJM.
Corporate Fraud
Corporate fraud, or “securities fraud,” is a material misrepresentation/distortion linked to stock information committed by a corporate officer/director. This white-collar crime is most often related to an exaggeration of the value of a stock. An officer or director can also be charged with corporate fraud in the event that they unlawfully disclose confidential information about a stock, which then leads to an individual or entity acting upon that information.
For decades, corporate fraud has been strictly regulated and considered a harshly enforced financial crime. A conviction requires evidence of intent to deceive, defraud, or manipulate, but there is no requirement of providing an intent to cause harm. If you are charged with corporate fraud, you may also face a federal indictment from a Federal Grand Jury. As a result, additional charges (such as mail fraud, wire fraud, RICO crime, money laundering, and federal conspiracy) may be brought against you. Fines and/or imprisonment are among the possible penalties for this charge.
Counterfeiting
Similar to the crime of forgery, counterfeiting relates to the creation of a false document. These documents can include contracts, money, legal certifications, and identification cards. Under 18 U.S.C. § 471, any individual that has the intent to defraud, forge, or alter any obligation or other security can be charged. The following sections (472 and 473) also allow charges to be brought against anyone that utters and/or deals in counterfeit obligations or other securities.
In many cases, counterfeiting is tied to legal tender. However, producing false replicas of a product (such as a legal document, piece of jewelry, or clothing item) is also considered a counterfeiting crime.
A conviction may result in a prison sentence of up to 20 years and/or large fines. Because federal counterfeiting charges are headed by federal agencies and prosecutors, who possess extensive resources and training, they can be extremely challenging. Furthermore, a federal conviction tends to result in a more severe penalty due to differences in the federal and state court processes. It is of paramount importance that you seek out a skilled defense attorney if you are accused of counterfeiting.
Extortion
Extortion (referred to as “blackmail” in plain language) uses force to gain property or money. The force may take the form of violence, but it can also be a threat of harm to reputation or negative government action. In the eyes of prosecutors, extortion is often categorized as a type of theft, regardless of whether the threat poses any imminent danger.
In accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 873, an individual can be charged with extortion if they have threatened to inform or not inform against a violation of U.S. law unless their demands for money (or something of value) are met by the victim. The law goes one step further, criminalizing the act of concealing any proceeds resulting from extortion. This means that even if you did not directly extort money from the victim, hiding the financial effects can lead to serious charges. Fines and prison sentences of up to three years are among the possible penalties for extortion charges on a state level.
Extortion becomes a federal crime if and when an individual utilizes telephone, U.S. mail service, internet, or any other type of interstate commerce to issue their demands. A federal conviction can lead to a maximum imprisonment of 20 years in a federal facility.
Forgery
Forgery is the crime of creating a false document, altering an existing one, or signing any document without proper authorization. These documents can include contracts, legal certificates, identification cards, and others.
Similar to counterfeiting, forgery and its penalties are regulated under 18 U.S.C. § 471, 472, and 473. Prison terms can range upwards of 20 years, accompanied by significant fines. Our forgery defense attorneys in California can advocate for you in state and/or federal court cases, ensuring that you receive a proper defense and that your rights are adequately protected.
Insider Trading
If a person uses inside information (about a company and its dealings) to make stock trading decisions, charges of insider trading can be pursued. Insider trading includes any act of buying and/or selling of a security that breaches trust and confidence as a direct result of the individual utilizing information that was not made public.
Individuals who may commit insider trading, whether intentionally or not, can include any person who has access to inside information about a company: stock analysts, investment bankers, brokers, and/or company employees. It is a federal crime for any individual with inside information to use that knowledge or their specialized perspective to buy or sell stocks.
You may face hefty fines or a prison sentence if you are convicted of insider trading. Although many individuals charged with insider trading assume it to be a relatively low-level white-collar crime, the federal government will not hesitate to enact serious measures to enforce securities laws and impose stringent punishments.
Tax Evasion
Under federal law, it is a crime for an individual or business entity to avoid paying federal taxes intentionally. As stated in 26 U.S.C. § 7201, tax evasion is a felony federal offense.
A conviction for tax evasion can precipitate fines upwards of hundreds of thousands of dollars and/or incarceration of up to five years. There are many reasons the IRS may choose to charge you for tax evasion, the most common of which include a failure to file timely tax returns or misrepresentation of income.
Unfortunately, individuals charged with tax evasion are often the victim of faulty tax preparation at the hands of an accountant, assistant, or other third parties. But whether or not you were in charge of your tax preparation, the government still considers you accountable. And due to the high complexity of U.S. tax codes, locating a dedicated and experienced tax evasion attorney in California is crucial for your defense.
Other Types of White Collar Crime We Defend
The crimes named above are the most common white-collar charges, but SKJM is also well-equipped to defend against a myriad of others. Our track record includes clients who have been charged with:
- Bankruptcy fraud
- Ponzi schemes
- MLM fraud
- Money laundering
- Theft of trade secrets
Our defense attorneys are well-versed in white-collar crime cases, and we are very aware that these crimes are often overcharged and tirelessly prosecuted by the government. We aim to stand as the last line of defense for our clients and serve as an advocate for their rights.
California White Collar Crime Lawyers
If you are in need of a trusted white-collar crime lawyer, California is home to some of the nation’s top-performing legal experts with experience on both a state and federal level.
Virtually all white-collar crime cases are prosecuted by the federal government, making harsh penalties a very real possibility. The government possesses the legal authority to pursue cases against both individuals and companies, and the ramifications for an accused party are often severe and long-lasting. Legal penalties can run the gamut from fines and home detention to community confinement, forfeitures, restitution, supervised release, and even imprisonment.
It is vital that you hire a knowledgeable and experienced white-collar crime attorney that has navigated similar cases in the past. Not only could your freedom be on the line, but your reputation, employment prospects, and professional future are also at risk.
Discuss Your Charges With a Qualified Legal Team
If you feel that you have been falsely accused of white-collar crime and need an attorney, please contact us for assistance. Remember that not all law firms offer the same level of legal expertise. So make sure you are properly represented by contacting SKJM today. Call 713-228-8500