If you or your business is under investigation or facing criminal charges related to financial or corporate crimes, we can help. Allegations of these kinds can cause serious financial losses and reputational damage and may result in personal legal consequences, including jail time. We can help you navigate the legal process and understand your options. Call (480) 327-6650 or contact Weiss Brown online to arrange a consultation today.
Why Choose Our White Collar Criminal Attorney in Phoenix?
- Our attorney is a skilled litigator who is not afraid to take a case to trial if necessary and will fight aggressively to protect your rights.
- We work closely with each of our clients to understand their unique situations and goals, and to develop a defense strategy that aligns with their needs.
- We work hard to ensure our clients feel confident and secure and never lose sight of what is in their best interests.
Common Examples of White Collar Crimes
White-collar crimes refer to financially motivated offenses committed by people in positions of trust or power, typically in business or government. They are often prosecuted at the federal level and taken very seriously in Arizona. Some common examples of white-collar crimes include:
Embezzlement
This involves stealing money or property that has been entrusted to an individual by their employer or client.
Fraud
Fraud includes a wide range of activities that involve deception for financial gains, such as investment fraud, insurance fraud, tax fraud, securities fraud, and mortgage fraud.
When individuals use non-public information to buy or sell securities, which can result in illegal profits.
Money Laundering
Hiding the origin of illegally obtained money or property by transferring it through legitimate channels.
Ponzi Schemes
A type of investment scam in which returns are paid to earlier investors using the capital of newer investors.
Bribery
Bribery involves offering or receiving something of value in exchange for an official action or decision.
Cybercrime
This refers to illegal activities conducted through computer networks or the internet, such as hacking, identity theft, and phishing.
These are just a few examples of the many types of white-collar crimes, which can be very complex and often require extensive investigations to uncover.
Potential Defenses to White Collar Crimes
There are a few potential defenses to white-collar crimes, but those available will depend on the specific circumstances of your case. For example:
- Lack of Intent: One of the most common defenses is a lack of criminal intent. The prosecution must establish that the accused intentionally committed the crime. If there is evidence that the defendant (the person accused) did not have the intent to commit a crime, then they cannot be convicted.
- Lack of Knowledge: The defendant may not have known their actions were illegal or a crime.
- Duress: If the defendant can show that they committed the crime due to a threat or coercion.
- Entrapment: The defendant was induced to commit a crime by a law enforcement official or someone acting on behalf of the government.
- Insanity: This defense is based on the premise that the defendant could not understand the nature of their actions or that they did not understand that their actions were wrong.
Depending on the strength of the defense strategy, your charges can be reduced significantly or dropped.
What To Do if You Are Investigated or Charged for a White Collar Crime in Phoenix
If you are being investigated or are facing charges for a white-collar crime in Phoenix, speaking with a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible is critical. The earlier in the process that you hire a lawyer, the better your odds of a more favorable outcome. To arrange a consultation today, call Weiss Brown at (480) 327-6650 or contact us online.
