White-collar crimes have been prosecuted more seriously in California in the wake of major scandals involving billions of dollars in losses to victims. If you’re facing charges, you may want an experienced white-collar crimes attorney in Los Angeles, CA.
White-collar crime charges can be enough to derail your career, while a conviction could upend your life. A Los Angeles white-collar crime lawyer from Simmrin Law Group may be able to clear your name once and for all and help you move past this chapter of your life.
What Is a White-Collar Crime in California?
A white-collar crime is a nonviolent crime that’s typically committed in a business setting. Many white-collar crimes are financial in nature and involve business managers or owners. Other types of white-collar crimes involve individuals defrauding institutions, such as those of the government.
White-collar crimes are often perceived by the public as less serious than more violent criminal charges. However, they are treated very seriously by the California legal system and can carry significant penalties if a person is convicted. Though some white-collar crimes are tried as misdemeanors, others may be categorized as felonies.
The following are some of the most common types of white-collar crimes:
- Fraud
- Embezzlement
- Money laundering
- Bribery
- Extortion
- Computer crimes
- Tax evasion
- Espionage
- RICO violations
- Perjury
If you face any of those types of charges, you should have an experienced criminal defense team on your side. With the white-collar crime lawyers in Los Angeles at our law firm, you’ll be able to mount the best possible defense.
For a free legal consultation with a white collar crime lawyer serving Los Angeles, call (310) 896-2723
Types of White-Collar Crimes Cases in California
California has several serious fraud charges that are considered white-collar crimes. Though the laws regarding different kinds of fraud are complex, the essential element of a fraud charge is that you are accused of embellishing or falsifying data to receive some kind of benefit, usually in the form of money.
Fraud charges can come in a variety of forms, and the laws relating to each kind of fraud can be difficult to understand. Nevertheless, our criminal defense attorneys can help you beat the following penalties:
- Medi-Cal fraud: Six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for a misdemeanor; three years in jail and a $10,000 fine for a felony
- Workers’ compensation fraud: One year in jail and a $150,000 fine for a misdemeanor; five years in jail and a $150,000 fine for a felony
- Health care fraud: One year in jail and a $10,000 fine for a misdemeanor; five years in jail and a $50,000 fine for a felony
- Auto insurance fraud: One year in jail and a $1,000 fine for a misdemeanor; three years in jail and a $50,000 fine for a felony
- Unemployment insurance fraud: One year in jail and a $20,000 fine for a misdemeanor; three years in state prison and a $20,000 fine for a felony
- Mortgage fraud: One year in jail and a $1,000 fine for a misdemeanor; three years in jail and a $10,000 fine for a felony
For all these charges, there can be additional penalties if you have prior fraud convictions or are accused of defrauding a person, company, or program out of an extraordinarily high amount of money.
Los Angeles White Collar Crime Lawyer Near Me (310) 896-2723
Defense Strategies in White-Collar Cases in Los Angeles
To defend you, a Los Angeles white-collar crimes attorney from our firm could argue that you had no intent to defraud anyone and simply erred in the paperwork process. Making mistakes with program applications or insurance forms is not a crime. For the charge to stick, the prosecution has to show proof of your intent to defraud.
Another possible defense could be that you simply were not aware you provided any misinformation. This kind of ignorance isn’t a crime. Alternatively, your Los Angeles white-collar crime lawyer could argue the victim didn’t suffer a loss or any other kind of injury due to fraud. Our team can argue this in an effort to reduce or drop your charges.
There are other ways to defend against fraud charges, such as finding issues with the prosecution’s evidence. For example, the prosecution may not have enough convincing evidence for a conviction, or the authorities may have obtained some evidence illegally. We offer free consultations and will find the defense that best suits your circumstances.
Embezzlement
Charges of embezzlement can be confusing and difficult to navigate, but our criminal defense experts are here to help. The first step is to understand what the charge entails. In California, you can be charged with embezzlement if:
- You were entrusted with money or property
- The owner of the money or property expected you to maintain it
- Instead, you transferred the money or property into your own possession fraudulently
- The original owner has been deprived of the money or property because of your actions
The actual charge of embezzlement can be tried as either petty theft or grand theft, depending on the value of what is alleged to have been embezzled. If convicted of the lower-level petty theft misdemeanor, you may face:
- Six months in jail
- A fine of $1,000
If convicted of grand theft as a misdemeanor, you may face:
- One year in jail
- A $1,000 fine
Finally, if convicted of grand theft as a felony, you may face:
- Three years in jail
- A $10,000 fine
No matter what level of offense you face, the best choice is to contact a Los Angeles white-collar crimes attorney from our firm. Your attorney can work toward having the charges dropped or reduced.
Probation Violations
Many white-collar crimes carry probation as either a penalty or a substitute for jail time. However, a violation of probationary terms can lead to serious consequences, such as the following:
- Serving the original jail time if probation was an alternative
- Serving additional jail time if the original sentence was already served
- Serving additional probation
- Serving probation with more stringent restrictions
- Paying a fine
The penalties you’d face for your specific probation violation are up to the presiding judge. With an L.A. white-collar crime lawyer from our firm on your team, you may be able to construct a defense tailored to fight the tactics of local prosecutors. With a solid defense, you and your lawyer may be able to defeat a probation violation charge and even get your existing probation terminated early.
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Can You Get a Job With a White-Collar Crime Conviction?
If you’re convicted of a white-collar crime, in the future, you may find it very difficult to get employment. This is especially true for government jobs. Depending on which field of employment you work in, a felony conviction could mean you’ll never be able to find employment in that field again.
Even if you’re able to find employment again, you may notice your coworkers and superiors treating you differently. For example, they may have trouble trusting you even if your charges aren’t related to your area of work. This could impact your work relationships and your prospects for career development.
One of our firm’s Los Angeles white-collar crime lawyers can help you get your charges dropped or reduced, which could prevent or mitigate the damage to your relationships and prospects.
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Are White-Collar Crimes Prosecuted at the Federal Level?
By nature, white-collar crimes often involve a federal investigation. However, since California has taken to vigorously pursuing white-collar crime cases, you could be facing state charges as well. Due to the complexity and expense of white-collar crime cases, state officials may look for any way to bring in federal authorities.
White-collar crimes are typically investigated by the IRS if they involve money laundering. The FBI typically leads fraud investigations but may cooperate with the IRS throughout the process. The type of crime you’re accused of will determine which agencies are involved in the investigation. This makes it important to have a lawyer who understands how these agencies operate.
What Is a Federal White-Collar Crime?
A white-collar crime can be charged as a federal white-collar crime when it crosses state lines, violating state law. For instance, mail fraud can be charged as a federal white-collar crime if it involves the United States Postal Service, a federal service. Tax evasion can also be charged as a federal crime since it involves the U.S. government.
Federal crimes have very serious consequences, such as hefty fines and lengthy prison sentences. Also, the federal government has many agencies and other resources to prosecute you. If you are facing charges for a federal crime, our Los Angeles white-collar crime attorneys can build your defense.
About Our White-Collar Crime Attorneys in Los Angeles
Our law firm is dedicated to helping the underdog. We fight hard for people like you to defend them against criminal charges, including federal charges.
Our white-collar criminal defense attorneys start by thoroughly examining a client’s situation and gathering all of the business documents, phone recordings, texts, police reports, and other evidence that will help build a strong defense. Our attorneys can tailor a defense strategy to suit your specific situation. We fight for the best possible outcome, even if it means taking a case to trial. Alternatively, our attorneys can fight for another fair outcome, such as a release on bail.
Our owner and lead attorney, Michael Simmrin, has successfully represented thousands of clients over the years and has had more than 100 jury trials, including capital cases. He and his team will fight hard for the best possible outcome in your case, too.
Get Your Free Consultation Today
At Simmrin Law Group, we know that time is of the essence in white-collar crime cases. Your reputation and livelihood are at stake the moment your charges are pressed. We can help you fight for your reputation and livelihood, and we have a track record of decisive wins for our clients.
To speak with some of our reputable Los Angeles white-collar crime lawyers, fill out the contact form or call us by phone. We offer a free initial consultation so we can easily begin working through the details of your case and crafting the best possible defense strategy.
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