A white collar crime charge may not seem serious at first. After all, no one is physically hurt by a white collar offense. However, the acts of fraud and embezzlement are treated very severely by the court system in Santa Monica. A white collar crime conviction can lead to tremendous fines and even time in prison.
You can face misdemeanor or felony charges for a white collar crime in California. Fighting these charges in court can be difficult and exhausting. You can get help building your defense in Santa Monica by working with the skilled criminal defense lawyers of the Simmrin Law Group.
Get Legal Help Fighting a White Collar Crime Charge
Santa Monica uses many unique charges to prosecute white collar crimes. You could be taken to court for embezzlement. Fraud is also considered a white collar crime. Additionally, you could be charged with a probation violation if you were previously convicted of a different misdemeanor or felony and did not follow the rules of the court.
No matter what kind of white collar charge you are facing, you could end up facing severe penalties if you are convicted. You can focus on defending yourself by working with white collar crime lawyers who have a history of winning cases in the Santa Monica area.
For a free legal consultation, call (310) 896-2723
Embezzlement Charges in Santa Monica
Santa Monica defines embezzlement as fraudulently making use of property or money that someone else entrusted you with. Embezzlement charges can be brought against people in the business world as well as private individuals.
You can face three different charges related to embezzlement in California:
- Petty Theft. A charge of petty theft can be brought against you if you embezzled less than $950. You can end up facing fines of $1,000 and 6 months in jail if you are convicted of petty theft.
- Misdemeanor Grand Theft. You can face misdemeanor charges of grand theft if you embezzled more that $950 without using either an automobile or a gun.
- Felony Grand Theft. Felony grand theft occurs if you embezzle more than $950 and make use of either a car or a firearm. Other circumstances can also result in embezzlement being charged as a felony. A felony grand theft conviction can result in fines of $10,000 and up to 3 years of jail time.
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Charges of Fraud in California
Fraud is considered to be the act of getting money from another person or an organization through false means. Insurance fraud is a very common type of white collar crime. There are many unique charges that relate to insurance fraud, including:
Health Care Fraud
You can be charged with health care fraud if you send a false claim for payment to a health insurance company. Health care fraud may be treated as either a felony or a misdemeanor by the court system, depending on the amount of the false claim.
Medi-Cal fraud is a specific health care fraud charge that involves attempting to defraud California’s Medi-Cal program. The Medi-Cal program provides some protected groups with medical insurance. A conviction for Medi-Cal fraud can lead to 3 years in jail and fines of up to $10,000.
Auto Insurance Fraud
A charge for auto insurance fraud involves trying to get money from a car insurance policy through false means. This charge may be brought against auto body shops or individual drivers, depending on the situation. Santa Monica can treat auto insurance fraud as a misdemeanor or a felony. You could face fines of $50,000 if you are convicted.
Workers Comp Fraud
You can face charges for workers comp fraud for attempting to manipulate the system that handles workers comp. This may be viewed as a misdemeanor or a felony. A workers comp fraud conviction can result in fines of up to $150,000.
Unemployment Insurance Fraud
Unemployment insurance is a program offered by the government to support workers who lose their jobs. Attempting to take advantage of this system can result in unemployment insurance fraud charges. A conviction for unemployment insurance fraud can lead to 3 years in prison and fines of $20,000.
You can also face charges for mortgage fraud in Santa Monica. Mortgage fraud can involve making a false appraisal or creating mortgage applications that contain false or misleading information. If you make a loan modification promise that is not honest you can also face a mortgage fraud charge.
Mortgage fraud often impacts professionals in the real estate market. You could face misdemeanor or felony grand theft charges if accused of mortgage fraud and a conviction could lead to fines of $10,000.
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Probation Violations as a White Collar Crime
You can be charged with a probation violation if you fail to fulfill the court-ordered obligations associated with your probation. This could involve something as minor as drinking alcohol or skipping a meeting with a probation officer.
No matter what caused the probation violation, you can face serious repercussions for this act. You might face additional time in jail or fines if you are convicted.
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Work with a White Collar Crimes Lawyer to Build Your Defense
You can end up paying for a white collar crime conviction for a long time. Focusing on your defense may help protect you from fines and time in jail or prison. The Simmrin Law Group’s white collar crimes lawyers understand the court system in Santa Monica. We have a history of success that you can take advantage of. Contact us today to get a FREE consultation for your case.
You can reach us by calling (310) 896-2723 or by filling out our contact form.
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