While white collar crimes do not include violent or dangerous crimes, they are often penalized in a similar way. Punishments for white collar crimes can be expensive and life altering in various ways, even though this particular type of criminal activity does not involve violence or activities that put people in immediate physical danger. Specifically, penalties for charges such as these can negatively affect employment opportunities and various aspects of an individual’s personal life, making it difficult to fully recover if convicted.
At Bruno Law Offices, our Champaign white collar crime lawyers understand just how harsh these punishments can be. Without the help of an attorney, you may have little to no chance in successfully defending yourself against white-collar crime charges. However, with the help of one of our experienced attorneys, we may be able to have the charges against you reduced in severity or, hopefully, dismissed entirely.
Why Do I Need a White Collar Crimes Lawyer?
If you are under suspicion of committing a white collar crime, investigators will approach you almost immediately. It’s crucial that you exercise your constitutional right to remain silent and do not speak to anyone until you have retained legal representation. Anything you say will be held against you and could damage your defense. An attorney with experience in white collar crimes will help you determine what actions to take in order to effectively defend against these accusations.
White collar crimes are not violent or aggressive crimes. In fact, most times, the victim of a white collar crime doesn’t even know it has happened. These charges are often unfairly held to the same degree of severity as violent crimes. You need an experienced attorney who knows how to fight against white collar crime charges.
A white collar crimes lawyer knows that an immediate, thorough investigation is necessary to effectively fight your case. At Bruno Law Offices, we will launch a full investigation and find evidence to clear your name. We will put our comprehensive network of legal resources into building a strong case in your favor. Defending against a white collar crime accusation requires attorneys with the ability to understand complicated financial matters and navigate paper trails.
The attorneys at Bruno Law Offices believe that you don’t deserve to have your life ruined because of a white collar crime accusation. An accusation of this magnitude can affect your current and future employment opportunities, housing, financial security, and social standing. If convicted of committing a white collar crime, you could face probation, hefty fines leading to financial ruin, or lengthy prison time.
Your reputation and future are at stake, and you don’t want to take a gamble on representing yourself. Statistics show that individuals who make the smart choice to retain an attorney will have a much more compelling case than those that decide to represent themselves.
Contact Bruno Law Offices at (217) 328-6000 now to schedule a no-cost consultation about your case.
Why Choose Bruno Law Offices?
At Bruno Law Offices, we’ve been serving the legal needs of Illinois residents for over 35 years. Our family of attorneys is committed to excellent service and aggressive pursuit of justice. We know that you are probably facing one of the most challenging times in your life, and our white collar crime attorneys want to help take some of that burden off of your shoulders.
We are available 24-hours a day. Call us today at (217) 328-6000 to schedule a confidential consultation, free of charge.
Common White Collar Crimes
White collar crimes cover various criminal actions, usually constituting some type of fraud, and an accusation of such a crime should be taken very seriously. The complexity of these crimes means that multiple statutes can come into play. A white collar crime is usually not just one violation of the law, but many violations of several laws.
The following are examples of some of the most common white collar crime charges we see:
- Tax Fraud – An intentional withholding or underpaying of federal taxes
- Accounting Fraud – When a company or individual falsifies accounting records, usually in order to inflate the worth of their assets
- Healthcare Fraud – A healthcare provider defrauding the insurance companies to obtain more payment than is equal to the services provided
- Bank Fraud – Committing a scheme or action to defraud a financial institution
- Business Fraud – Fraudulent activity against a business, such as tampering with payroll, unapproved check writing, etc, usually done by an employee
- Wire Fraud – Fraudulent activity by bank wire transfer, mail service, phone call, or the internet
- Investment Fraud – The promise of a high return rate on a low-risk investment; examples of this are Ponzi schemes, foreign currency fraud, late-day trading, etc.
- Securities Fraud – Deceptive purchase or selling of stocks or commodities based on false information
- Identity Theft – The use of a social security number or other personal identifying information to apply for credit or make purchases
- Computer Crime – Using computer skills, such as hacking, to take illegal actions
- Insider Trading – The use or possession of nonpublic information to make a sale or trade
Being accused of a white collar crime, such as those included on this list, can be damaging to your personal life, career, and future educational or housing opportunities. As such, you need to do everything possible to fight these charges.
Federal White Collar Crimes
Often white collar crime accusations will not only include Illinois statues but federal statutes as well. Getting indicted for a federal white collar crime carries a much more severe punishment. If convicted, maximum sentencing is possible for each federal offense.
The federal courts will examine the accused’s previous criminal record and the facts surrounding the specific case. They will look at the money involved in the crime, the value of assets involved, and the number of victims. Federal courts will also factor in the sophistication of the crime, such as the involvement of computers or a multi-person effort.
Because of the complicated nature of a federal white collar crime, you need to contact a white collar crime lawyer as soon as possible. Only an experienced attorney will be able to help you navigate the legal system in order to lower the severity of the charges or remove them altogether. Bruno Law Offices has years of experience fighting for people accused of committing white collar crimes. We know how prosecutors think in cases such as these, and therefore, we know how to fight back against their investigations.
Contact a White Collar Crime Lawyer in Champaign
If you are facing white collar crime charges of any kind, you should seek help from an experienced attorney immediately. The attorneys at Bruno Law Offices have been helping to defend those accused of criminal activity for more than 35 years, and we understand what it takes to effectively defend people in situations just like yours. For a free consultation with our Champaign white collar crime lawyers, call us today at (217) 328-6000.