Generally speaking, white-collar crimes are non-violent crimes and are typically committed in order to achieve financial gain. In St. Petersburg and in Florida itself, white-collar crimes are considered to be a very serious offense and can result in penalties that are likely to negatively impact your life in more ways than one.
If you are convicted of a white-collar crime, then it is in your best interest to seek legal advice from a highly skilled white-collar crime attorney as soon as you possibly can. At The Law Place, we have a team with over 75 years of combined experience and knowledge in dealing with white-collar crimes similar to yours.
Our team of skilled criminal defense attorneys will be able to guide you through the complex Florida legal system and build a strong defense strategy to contest your white-collar crime charges. We will fight for your rights to ensure you receive the best possible outcome. We offer all our customers a free consultation with a white-collar crime attorney. At this consultation, we will gather any crucial information about your case and offer some no-obligation legal advice on the next best steps to take.
At our offices in St. Petersburg, our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can call us at any time of day. Rest assured, a lawyer will be there to answer the call and offer you the support and advice you need. Call us today at (941) 444-4444 and get started with your case today.
Definition of a White-Collar Crime
As noted under Florida Statute 775.0844, a white-collar crime can be defined as illegal acts that are characterized by the concealment, deceit, or violation of trust, which are not dependent on the threat or act of physical force or violence. White-collar crimes are acts committed by organizations or individuals whereby they illegally obtain finance, property, or services and then willfully withhold said finance, property, or services from their rightful owner.
There are a plethora of white-collar crimes that take place in St. Petersberg, FL. An example of committing a white-collar crime would be taking illegally-obtained money and putting it through various transactions to make it appear legal and legitimate. This white-collar crime is commonly known as money laundering.
Types of White-Collar Crimes in St. Petersburg, Florida
Although non-violent, white-collar crimes are still considered to be just as serious as other crimes and can incur severe ramifications. Some of the most common white-collar crimes include:
- Embezzlement – This is one of the most common white-collar crimes committed in Florida. Embezzlement is when an employee or a trusted person uses their position of authority to misappropriate funds and unlawfully convert them for their own personal use.
- Money laundering – This is the act in which someone masks money that has been gained through criminal activity so that it appears to have been gained legally.
- Fraud – Fraud involves the deliberate act of a person providing false and deceptive information in order to gain money and other assets. Fraud is applicable to a range of things, including credit cards, mail, insurance, healthcare, bankruptcy, or corporate fraud. Corporate fraud is generally investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and involves the falsification of financial information, insider trading, and schemes designed to conceal and hide corporate fraud activities.
- Identity theft – This is the act of taking or using personally identifying information of another person without authorization and using it to gain financial advantage.
- Forgery or counterfeiting – Forgery is the act of altering objects or documents so that it is false with the intent to defraud. Counterfeiting occurs when a person illegally copies or imitates an item and then passes the copy off as the genuine or original item. Whilst counterfeiting is most commonly associated with money; it can also apply to artwork, designer clothing, and other consumer goods.
- Bribery – This is the offering, giving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of another person.
- Racketeering – This is an organized activity in which the criminal act forms a substantial part of the business or is used as a way to earn illegal money repeatedly.
Other less common white-collar crimes can include:
- Passing bad checks.
- Computer-related crimes.
- Use of a fraudulently obtained receipt.
- Dealing in stolen property on the internet.
- Medical false billing, such as Medicare and Medicaid fraud.
- Extortion.
- Tax evasion.
Whichever white-collar crime you may have been accused of in St. Petersburg, FL., at The Law Place, we have a team of highly skilled white-collar crime lawyers who are here to support you and guide you through the legal process every step of the way.
We’re here to serve you. Our phones are open 24 hours a day. What Are the Potential Repercussions for White Collar Crimes in St. Petersburg, Florida?
The classification for your white-collar crime will depend on the circumstances in which the incident took place and the amount of money involved. Such classifications could leave you with the following penalties:
- Second-degree misdemeanors – This could result in a fine of up to $500 and up to sixty days behind bars.
- First-degree misdemeanors – The penalties for a first-degree misdemeanor could include a fine of up to $1000 and up to a year in jail.
- Third-degree felonies – The penalties for this may include up to $5000 payable in fines and up to five years in state prison.
- Second-degree felonies – If you are charged with a second-degree felony, you could receive up to $10,000 payable in fines and up to fifteen years in state prison.
- First-degree felonies – This is the most serious classification that you can be issued with for a white-collar crime. The penalties include a fine of up to $10,000 as well as up to thirty years in state prison.
With all these classifications, it is also highly likely that you will also receive a permanent criminal record. Whilst this might sound relatively minor in comparison to hefty fines and jail time, a criminal record can have life-long repercussions. A permanent criminal record can have negative impacts on your ability to gain employment, obtain rental agreements, as well as various types of finance, such as mortgages. Moreover, a criminal record can also affect your ability to gain child custody or visitation rights.
We’re Florida’s top litigation team with over 75 years of combined experience Possible Defences Against White-Collar Crimes in St. Petersburg
Generally speaking, white-collar crimes normally require a huge amount of paperwork and evidence in order for the prosecution to gain a successful conviction. In order to prove that you committed a white-collar crime, the prosecution has to convince the jury of the following:
- That you knew what you were doing and you knew the action was unlawful.
- That you concealed or hid your criminal acts with the purpose of not getting caught.
- That you knew you were committing a criminal offense.
At The Law Place, a skilled white-collar crime attorney will work to assemble key evidence against the prosecution and establish a strong defense strategy that gives you the best possible chance of winning your case. It is important to remember that whilst you may be facing these criminal charges, you are innocent until proven guilty.
From the initial call to updates on your case status, we are here to get you answers. Call The Law Place in St. Petersburg Today!
If you have been arrested or accused of committing a white-collar crime, then we highly recommend you seek legal advice as soon as possible. Our team of knowledgeable lawyers has over 75 years of collective experience in dealing with white-collar crime cases and other related practice areas.
By seeking the advice of a white-collar crime attorney, you are placing yourself in the best possible position of reducing or eliminating the charges you are facing. Your white collar crime attorney will be able to investigate your case and any evidence being used against you and will work to build a strong defense strategy that will hopefully win your case.
At our offices in St. Petersburg, Fl, our offices are open around the clock, so we can be here to support you with your white-collar crime case. Call us today at (941) 444-4444 and receive a free consultation with an experienced white-collar criminal attorney.
