White Collar Crime

Nevada County White Collar Defense Lawyer

California and federal laws encompassing white collar crime are complex. They can begin when law enforcement is tipped off by an informant, a whistleblower, or a bank that is suspicious about large cash deposits. These crimes are aggressively investigated by California’s Division of Law Enforcement’s White Collar Investigation Team (WCIT), whose goal is to build cases for prosecution.

If you believe you are being investigated for a white-collar crime, call our skilled criminal defense attorneys at once. We understand how WCIT, the Department of Justice, and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office build these cases, and we also understand your distress, especially if you have never been charged with a crime. A Nevada County white collar defense lawyer is your zealous advocate.

Our experienced attorneys have a deep understanding of California’s legal landscape. As some of the best lawyers in California, we are dedicated to protecting your rights and providing expert legal representation. If you’re facing allegations of corporate fraud or embezzlement, our corporate fraud attorneys can provide you with the defense you need.

Don’t navigate the complexities of a white-collar crime case alone. Contact our white collar defense attorney in Nevada City, CA, for comprehensive legal support. Your peace of mind is our priority.

What Are White Collar Crimes?

The term “white collar crime” was coined in 1939 by a criminologist drawing attention to the collared shirts typical perpetrators wore. They were primarily businesspeople, professionals, and politicians, and their crimes were non-violent deceptions with financial gain as the benefit, such as money laundering, bribery, forgery, and fraud.

Because of technological advances, almost anyone can commit a white-collar crime. Although cybercrime, healthcare fraud, and intellectual property theft are considered white-collar crimes, some crimes are most often associated with the term:

  • Fraud: Gaining something of value using deceit or deception to harm another
  • Money laundering: Manipulating money from an unlawful source to make it appear from a legitimate one
  • Bribery: Exchanging anything of value with a public official for their influence, action, vote, or opinion connected with their official position
  • Forgery: Signing another person’s name or a fictitious person intending to defraud another
  • Counterfeiting: Reproducing or altering something such as money, a driver’s license, or a designer handbag and passing it off as authentic
  • Embezzlement: Theft of money from an employer or from someone who entrusted the money to the person

This list is not exhaustive, and other crimes can be considered white collar, along with sub-crimes under fraud, such as real estate, healthcare, securities, and fraud against the elderly. White collar crimes can be prosecuted as misdemeanors or felonies in state court, with prosecutors weighing the amount of financial gain involved and the accused’s criminal record. Some white-collar crimes can also be prosecuted in federal court.

Penalties

Penalties for these crimes can include fines, jail time, or prison sentences. Those convicted might also be forced to forfeit profits gained from their activities. If charged with fraud, money laundering, bribery, forgery, or counterfeiting, contacting a Nevada County white collar crime defense attorney is crucial. An expert white collar crime lawyer in California, especially a specialized embezzlement defense lawyer or corporate fraud attorney in California, can provide essential legal assistance. For best representation, consider a white collar defense attorney in Nevada City, CA, who is well-versed in these complex legal areas.

California’s Freeze And Seize Law

California law includes a penalty enhancement for white collar crimes under certain conditions, a critical area for a California white collar crime defense attorney. The prosecutor, arguing for additional prison time, must demonstrate that the accused committed at least two related felonies forming a pattern in their conduct, showcasing elements of fraud or embezzlement. This becomes pertinent for a white collar crime lawyer, especially when the amount involved exceeds $100,000, taken by the accused or lost by the target.

To establish a pattern in the defendant’s conduct, which a skilled white collar defense attorney in Nevada City, CA, might contest, at least two felonies should have been committed with a similar purpose or result, involving similar victims, or indicating a consistent modus operandi.

Under the freeze and seize law, if found guilty, the defendant faces an additional consecutive prison sentence, a concern for any embezzlement defense lawyer in Nevada City. For amounts between $100,000 and $500,000, the sentence increases by one to two years, plus a potential fine – a situation where the expertise of the best white collar crime lawyer in California is invaluable. The fine could be the greater of $100,000 or double the value taken. If over $500,000 was involved, up to five years may be added, with a fine of the greater of $500,000 or double the amount taken, highlighting the need for an expert white collar crime lawyer in California.

Other Criminal Defense Services

Kenny is an effective and experienced attorney in defense and personal injury cases. Please see the adjacent areas for specific representation.

WE FIGHT FOR YOU

The WIN Law Firm is led by Kenny Nguyen who fights intelligently to advocate for his clients. He understands that good people can sometimes find themselves in unfortunate situations, for which he is prepared to help them rise above.

If you want a tough, experienced and relentless advocate on your side, give us a call for a free consultation today.

Or call us at (530) 464-8288