Your job and future are at stake if you have been charged with a white collar crime. It’s critical that you know what you’re facing and how to effectively defend yourself. Here’s what you should understand.
White Collar Crimes Defined
A white collar crime is a non-violent offense, typically committed in a business or company environment. It may be deemed a “high profile” matter if the corporation or organization charged with criminal conduct is prominent or particularly well-known, or if the business is accused of causing an excessive amount of damages. The below are some examples of white collar crimes:
- Insider trading
- Identity theft
- Mail theft
- Laundering money
- Evading taxes
- Larceny
- Forgery
- Extortion
- Financial fraud
I Was Charged With a White Collar Crime — Now What?
You may be aware that you are the subject of a criminal investigation prior to being formally charged if you are accused of a white collar crime. These investigations may initially be restricted though, until and unless enough evidence is discovered to warrant your arrest. At this point, law enforcement authorities can petition a judge to grant a search warrant of your computer files, phone call and text records, and other plausibly damaging material.
Even though many people don’t hire an attorney until they’ve actually been arrested for a criminal offense, you can do so as soon as you find out you’re the subject of an investigation. Hiring a lawyer early can help you develop a strong defense.
How to Defend Against a White Collar Criminal Charge
Depending on the facts of the case and the evidence available, there are a variety of possible defenses to white collar criminal charges. The following are some of the most prevalent:
- You had no idea the conduct you were engaging in was illegal
- Your behavior wasn’t illegal in the first place
- You were not the one who committed the offense; it was someone else
- You had no intention of committing a crime
- You were misled by law enforcement and entrapped
Your lawyer will examine your case and the evidence available to decide which defense tactic is most likely to be effective.
When to Hire a Denver Defense Attorney
You shouldn’t wait long to contact a Denver criminal defense lawyer if you think you may be the subject of a white collar criminal case. Call criminal defense & DUI lawyer Richard B. Huttner today for an appointment to discuss your case at 303-595-4342.