McKinney White Collar Crimes Lawyers
Attorneys for Fraud, Money Laundering, Identity Theft, and More in McKinney, TX
Criminal charges that involve deception, obtaining money through false pretenses, or the falsification of documents will often be classified as white collar crimes. While these offenses are financial crimes that generally do not involve violence, they are still treated seriously by law enforcement officers and criminal prosecutors. In many cases, people will face felony charges, and convictions can lead to multiple types of serious penalties. Understanding the best approach to take when defending against white collar crimes will require the help of an attorney who has experience handling these types of cases.
The lawyers at Texas Defense Firm can provide the guidance that clients need when responding to allegations of white collar crimes. We understand the evidence that can play a role in these cases, the penalties that may apply for different offenses, and the strategies that are most likely to be successful. With our help, clients can build strong defense strategies and make sure their rights are protected as they respond to white collar crime accusations.
Why Certain Offenses May Be Classified as White Collar Crimes
The term "white collar crime" is an informal category that generally includes non-violent offenses committed through deception, misrepresentation, or the misuse of a position of trust. People may be accused of committing offenses for financial gain.
While there are multiple types of white collar crimes, these offenses will generally involve some common elements. Prosecutors in these cases will usually need to prove that a person intended to defraud or deceive someone else in order to take their money or property. Many cases involve extensive financial evidence, including bank records, contracts, and electronic communications.
The penalties for white collar crimes will often be tied to the amount of money that a person allegedly obtained through their activities. Charges may range from misdemeanors to first-degree felonies depending on the value of what was allegedly obtained through deception or other practices.
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Fraud
Allegations that a person made false statements or engaged in other forms of deception to obtain money or property could lead to fraud charges. These cases may cover multiple types of fraud, including credit card fraud, false statements made to obtain a mortgage or another type of loan or credit, insurance fraud involving false or inflated claims, and healthcare fraud involving false billing. The specific charges will typically be based on the amount of money involved in a case.
Forgery
Allegations involving creating false legal documents or altering existing documents could result in charges of forgery. These cases may involve multiple types of documents, and charges may be based on activities related to checks, deeds, wills, currency, or government records. Forgery involving certain types of government records or financial instruments can lead to felony charges, regardless of the value involved.
Identity Theft
A person who is accused of possessing, using, or selling someone else's identifying information could face charges related to identity theft. These charges may involve the use of information to commit fraud or cause harm, or they may involve obtaining, storing, or selling information belogning to multiple people. The specific charges will typically be based on the number of people who have allegedly been affected by a person's alleged actions.
Embezzlement
A person who has been accused of keeping money or property that belongs to someone else after they had been entrusted with that property could face charges related to embezzlement. While embezzlement is not an offense that is defined in Texas law, a person may be charged with theft based on the value of the items that they allegedly stole or misappropriated.
Embezzlement may involve actions taken by employees, bookkeepers, or financial officers who were given the authority to handle property belonging to an employer. This offense may also involve situations where someone held money or property belonging to a friend or family member and kept the items for themselves rather than returning them to the owner. In general, charges will be based on claims that a person kept money or property without authorization while intending to deprive the owner of their property.
Money Laundering
Certain types of financial maneuvers may lead to criminal charges if they involve money that was allegedly obtained through criminal activity. A person may be charged with money laundering based on accusations that they possessed, transferred, or invested funds that were connected to crimes. These charges may accompany charges of fraud or drug crimes, and a person may be accused of making transfers or engaging in transactions that were meant to hide the source of funds. The penalties for a conviction can be serious, and a person may also face charges related to the underlying offenses.
Legal Help for People Facing White Collar Crime Charges
Our attorneys will closely examine the evidence involved in white collar crime cases. These cases will often involve complex financial information and transactions, and a comprehensive review of the evidence can determine what defense strategies are likely to be successful.
We can challenge whether there was an intent to defraud or deceive someone, arguing that our client did not purposely try to misappropriate someone else's money or property. We may look at how the value of the property in a case was calculated, and when necessary, we can take steps to reduce charges based on the amount of money or property. We will take steps to challenge the evidence and raise reasonable doubt about whether a crime occurred, and we will work to resolve a case successfully while minimizing the penalties our clients may face.
Contact Our McKinney, Texas White Collar Crimes Attorneys
Because of the severe penalties that can apply for people who are convicted of white collar crimes, a strong defense is essential in these cases. At Texas Defense Firm, we can provide our clients with effective representation to help them avoid criminal convictions and resolve their cases successfully. Contact our McKinney white collar crime defense lawyers at 972-369-0577 to schedule a free consultation.
