Houston White Collar Crime Attorney
While white collar crimes are not violent in nature, they are, nonetheless, very serious and are generally classified as felonies. Crimes referred to as “white collar” are those committed in the course of business and often involve elaborate schemes crafted for illegal financial gain.
Both state and federal laws govern white collar crime
To uncover and substantiate a suspected illegal activity, a white collar crime investigation may start on the state level, but typically include one or more federal agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Secret Service, U.S. Customs or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) may play a role in gathering facts to build a white collar crime case.
Examples of white collar crimes
- Identity theft
- Cyber crimes
- Bribery, extortion & blackmail
- Money laundering
- Forgery
- Trade secret theft
- Official misconduct
- Fraud (credit card, bank, wire, mail, healthcare, securities)
Penalties for White Collar Crimes
Your attorney may be able to negotiate dismissal or obtain a reduction of the charges and keep you out of prison, if you are willing to help authorities further their investigation and are prepared to take responsibility for acts you committed. Typical punishment for white-collar offense convictions include a combination of:
- Fines
- Forfeitures
- Restitution
- Prosecution costs
- Supervised release
- Home detention
- A prison term
Pro-Active Legal Defense at the Outset
If you believe you are a target or subject of a white collar crime investigation, if charges have been filed against you, or even if you are approached as a potential witness, it is imperative to have top notch legal advice and guidance. An attorney can protect your Constitutional rights and provide legal guidance to help you prevent errors in judgment and incorrect responses that can increase the probability of indictment.
At Forrest Kolodny & O'Neill LLP in Houston, our practice is devoted to criminal defense work and we are prepared to represent clients charged with a wide array of illegal business related activities. When you seek our help, we carefully weigh all the factors in your case and develop an effective defense strategy. We are committed to aggressively protecting your rights and fighting for the most favorable outcome possible.
Call a Houston Criminal Defense Lawyer
Arrange an appointment to discuss your situation with criminal lawyer in a private setting. Call (713) 222-0556.
There is no fee for an initial consultation. You may also contact us online.