San Antonio White Collar Crime Lawyers

What Are White Collar Crimes? 

White-collar crime is a broad term for any illegal activity committed by business officials, government officials, or other professionals in their industry. Fraudulent activity, deception, and theft are often the main components of these crimes. In most cases, the people committing these crimes do so for personal financial gain or professional advancement without using violence.

The most common white-collar crimes include the following:

• Identity theft
• Insurance fraud
• Insider trading
• Internet fraud
• Extortion
• Counterfeiting
• Credit card fraud
• Bankruptcy fraud
• Blackmail
• Bribery
• Embezzlement
• Healthcare fraud
• Tax evasion
• Securities fraud
• Mortgage fraud
• Money laundering
• Intellectual property theft
• Racketeering
• Commodities fraud
• Corporate fraud
• Bank fraud

Being charged with white-collar offenses can lead to severe consequences, including jail time and fines. The nature of your penalties depends on the charge itself and the severity of the crime. A criminal defense lawyer on our team will review your case and your alleged charges to determine the right defense strategy for you.

Penalties for White Collar Crimes

While the exact penalties depend on your specific circumstances, the penalties for most white-collar crimes are severe. Hefty fines, jail time, restitution payments, forfeiture of property and assets, and probation are all potential consequences you may face in criminal court. 

Federal criminal charges often carry more severe penalties than state criminal charges. Federal offenses usually involve larger-scale operations that cross state lines or violate federal statutes. Examples include large-scale securities fraud, tax evasion schemes, and high-profile bribery cases. 

Federal agencies like the FBI, SEC, and IRS often investigate these crimes. If the victims of the crime believe they are owed money, they could also sue you in civil court, demanding payment for lost profits, lost wages, or other damages.

While these consequences are severe, a conviction can damage your professional reputation. Many employers are hesitant to hire someone with a criminal record, and some will refuse to accept an application from a convicted criminal. 

Many offenders find it difficult to get a job after their release, especially a career in the financial field. It is always ideal to consult a white-collar crime lawyer to craft a defense that works to avoid these consequences.

Plea Deals in White Collar Criminal Cases

A plea deal, also called a plea bargain, is an agreement between an accused party and the prosecution. In most cases, the accused agrees to plead guilty in exchange for a lesser sentence or less severe consequences. No clear-cut answer exists regarding whether a plea deal is right for you. It generally depends on the nature of your charges and your criminal case as a whole.

If you are facing criminal charges and have been offered a plea deal, a team member can review your case to determine whether accepting is the best path forward. In some cases, prosecutors will offer a plea deal if they know they cannot win against you in court; this means accepting the deal likely would not be your best option. 

However, it may be in your best interest to accept if you face severe charges and have been offered a deal that avoids prison time or hefty fines. If you have further questions about a plea deal in your case, contact our attorneys for assistance.