White-collar crime often refers to financial crime. Though these may seem less serious than more violent crimes, the penalties can be severe: fines and jail time, as well as a permanent record that could make finding future employment difficult. There is an alternative; a skilled lawyer may be able to help you by getting your charges reduced or even dismissed.
If you have been accused of a white-collar crime, contact the Oklahoma City criminal defense lawyers office at Josh Lee & Associates today. Put our 20+ years of experience to work for you, and let us help you put together a defense strategy that protects your legal rights. Call us today to go over your case and legal options, at no cost to you.
Why Choose Us?
When you have been accused of a crime, you need a defense attorney who is both knowledgeable and empathetic. That’s exactly what you will get at Josh Lee & Associates. You will always get direct access to your attorney, and they will take the time to fully understand your situation. Our founding attorney, Josh Lee, has a unique ability to process client needs and desired outcomes and put together a strategy to attain those outcomes. Your initial consultation along with a thorough case analysis is always free, so contact our Oklahoma City white-collar crimes lawyers today to let us get started on your case.
The Many Types Of White Collar Crime
Our founding attorney at Josh Lee & Associates is committed to getting you the favorable outcome you deserve. He has dedicated his career to criminal defense, and at our firm, you will receive the benefit of that experience and his full attention. He has helped clients with white-collar crime issues like:
- Tax evasion. This can be an incredibly easy crime to commit without even realizing it. You are responsible for paying the full, correct amount in taxes. If you underpay, you may be investigated for tax evasion.
- Embezzlement. Taking money from a person or organization over which you have authority is embezzlement. You can receive not only jail time but the duty of restitution if you are convicted of this offense.
- Money laundering. This is the act of taking illegally obtained money and mixing it with legally obtained money. It can sometimes go along with drug offenses.
- Fraud. Many types of white-collar crimes are considered fraud, which means that you knowingly deceived someone out of money. This can include securities fraud.
- Computer fraud. Using computers or electronic devices to gain unauthorized access, steal information, or manipulate systems to commit fraud is considered computer fraud under the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act. Examples include hacking into financial accounts or phishing schemes.
- Insurance fraud. This occurs when someone intentionally deceives an insurance company to receive benefits or compensation. Examples might include staging car accidents or submitting false claims.
- Identity theft. Stealing someone’s personal information to commit fraud, such as opening credit accounts or filing false tax returns, is considered identity theft under Oklahoma Statutes § 21-1533.1.
- Tax fraud. Unlike tax evasion, tax fraud is the process of intentionally falsifying the details you include on your tax return to avoid paying the correct amount of taxes. This can include claiming false deductions or underreporting income, for example.
- Extortion. This involves using threats, coercion, or intimidation to obtain money, property, or services. Extortion often involves leveraging sensitive information to pressure victims into complying with specific demands.
- Conspiracy. Planning or agreeing with others to commit a crime, even if the crime is not executed, is considered conspiracy.
- Computer crimes. Computer crimes can include a variety of offenses, such as data breaches, intellectual property theft, and unauthorized access to secure systems.
Whether you are being investigated for a simple charge or a more complex, multi-layered one, our attorneys can take on your case and give it their full attention and experience.
Potential Penalties For White Collar Crimes
Defendants accused of white-collar crimes are often in a position of authority, such as business executives or others with a fiduciary duty to the victims. Therefore, prosecutors often fiercely pursue convictions in these cases. If convicted of a white-collar crime, there are several different penalties you may face, including charges on your permanent record. These penalties can include one or more of the following:
- Jail time
- Restitution payments
- Probation
- Fines
- Home confinement
- Forfeiture of property
- Paying the cost of prosecution
The penalties pursued by the prosecution sometimes depend on the extent of the financial damage suffered by the victim(s). The more damage suffered, the more likely the prosecution is to pursue harsher penalties. You need an experienced attorney who understands the details of these charges and can put together a winning defense strategy.
Possible Defenses To White Collar Crimes
White-collar crimes are often complex, and the facts of these cases can sometimes be cumbersome. There are several potential defenses that may be used in these cases, and the best strategy will depend on the specifics of the charges against you and the evidence available.
A common defense to white-collar crime is a lack of intent. Most white-collar crimes require the prosecution to prove that the defendant intended to commit the crime. However, the evidence could show that the defendant simply made a mistake or error instead of intentionally committing an illegal act.
Coercion is another potential defense to most white-collar crimes. If the defendant was forced by others to commit the criminal act, showing evidence of the coercion could result in an acquittal. Additionally, entrapment is sometimes a successful defense strategy in these cases. An experienced white-collar crime defense attorney can help you decide on the best strategy to use in your case.
What To Do If You Are Accused Of A White Collar Crime
Remember that you have the right to remain silent if you have been charged with a crime. You also have the right to an attorney. These rights still apply to white-collar crimes as well. Never make any statements to the authorities without the assistance of an experienced defense attorney. Contact the office of Josh Lee & Associates right away to help protect your future. Time is often of the essence with white-collar crimes, so the sooner you get help on your side, the better. Give us a call today for your free consultation.
Can I Be Prosecuted for My Company’s Wrongdoing?
Yes, you can be prosecuted for your employer’s illegal activities. This is particularly true if you had knowledge of or actively participated in the wrongdoing. In some cases, company executives, managers, or employees may be held accountable for the corporation’s actions under both federal and state laws, depending on the type of crime you are accused of committing. Prosecutors may investigate whether you played a direct role in the criminal activity, failed to report it, or acted negligently in some way.
Federal laws, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the False Claims Act, allow prosecutors to pursue charges against individuals when corporations engage in misconduct. Even if you were unaware of the crime, failing to perform due diligence or ignoring signs of illegal activity could still expose you to liability. For this reason, it is crucial to consult with a skilled Oklahoma City white collar crimes attorney if you suspect your company is under investigation or engaging in illegal activity.
What is the Penalty Difference Between a Misdemeanor and Felony White Collar Crime?
The penalties for white collar crimes vary significantly based on whether the offense is classified as a misdemeanor or a felony-level offense. Misdemeanor white collar crimes are generally less severe and may involve smaller amounts of financial loss or less harmful conduct. The extent of the penalties you face depends on the level of your misdemeanor crime. Generally, misdemeanor convictions do not require more than one year in jail as described under the Oklahoma Sentencing Guidelines.
Felony white collar crimes, however, generally involve higher financial losses, more extensive schemes, or habitual offenders. Felony white collar crime convictions often lead to long-term imprisonment in state or federal facilities, substantial fines, and restitution payments to alleged victims. Additionally, felony convictions often come with collateral consequences, such as damage to your reputation, loss of professional licenses, and difficulty finding employment in the future.
Understanding the potential penalties and classifications of your charges is essential as we manage your expectations throughout the criminal defense process. Josh Lee & Associates is here to get your charges reduced where possible and fight for the most favorable outcome possible based on the circumstances of your case.
A Professional Oklahoma City White Collar Crimes Attorneys Can Help
There are times when it might seem like there is no hope for your case. However, even when the evidence does not appear to be in your favor, our team will still aggressively defend your rights and work to get you the outcome you desire. There may be opportunities for plea bargains, reduced charges, or other solutions that can help you get the best outcome. Our white-collar crime defense lawyers have defended countless clients against criminal charges, including white-collar crimes. We can help you. To learn what we can do for you, call our Oklahoma City office at (405) 759-5529 and schedule an initial meeting.
