Long Island White Collar Crime Lawyer

Long Island White Collar Crime Attorney

White collar crimes are financially motivated crimes that are not violent. Just because they are non-violent, however, doesn’t mean that they are taken lightly. If the crimes cross state lines, such as those that occur online, then they become federal jurisdiction. If you are being investigated for a white collar crime or have been charged or arrested, you need a Long Island white collar crime lawyer by your side to defend your rights.

White collar offenses can have serious consequences for those who are convicted, and they can affect the rest of their lives. At The Vitaliano Law Firm, we are proud to uphold the rights of those accused of white collar crimes, and we have worked for years in many areas of criminal defense law. Our firm has experience in both the prosecution and defense of criminal cases, helping us have a deep understanding of their requirements.

Types of White Collar Criminal Offenses

White collar criminal offenses are most often committed by individuals working within corporations and by the organizations themselves. These crimes can be incredibly complex. It’s important to secure legal support from an attorney with the resources and knowledge needed to properly defend you against the charges you face. At The Vitaliano Law Firm, we have experience with some of the following types of white collar criminal offenses:

• Fraud: There are many types of fraud, including credit card fraud, mail fraud, and check fraud.
• Forgery: This includes signature forging and document forging.
• Pyramid Schemes: Also called Ponzi schemes, these rely on new investors to pay off old investors rather than legitimate business profits.
• Insider Trading: Insider trading occurs when individuals engage in stock trading with information that is not public knowledge.
• Money Laundering: Money laundering takes profits obtained through illegal means and conceals them as legitimate business profits.
• Bribery: Bribery is the crime of offering someone money in return for favors. This offense is usually committed by someone in power or in a position of authority.
• Embezzlement: This is the crime of taking funds entrusted to an employee or business for one purpose and using them for another purpose, such as personal gain.
• Extortion: This occurs when threats, pressure, or force is used to obtain money. It is often committed by someone who is in a position of power.

Your criminal defense should be tailored to your unique charges and their severity.

White Collar Criminal Penalties

White collar criminal penalties can include hundreds to thousands in fines, months in jail, years in prison, and restitution paid to the victims of the offense. The severity of the penalties depends on whether the crime is charged as a felony or a misdemeanor and whether it is under state or federal jurisdiction. There may be other restrictions for specific types of offenses, such as internet access restrictions.

There are other consequences that can come from being convicted of a white collar criminal offense. These include losing your job, being unable to find employment, losing your professional license, and other collateral consequences. Having a criminal record also has consequences, such as limiting your housing, educational, and loan opportunities. If there is no restitution required, the victims of the crimes may also file civil claims against you to recover their losses. You may also face significant social and personal reputational damages.

The personal and financial consequences of a white collar criminal conviction can be very serious, and it is crucial that you secure professional legal support. The prosecution has to prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and your attorney in Long Island can work to create a defense that prevents this.

Possible Defenses Against White Collar Charges

A criminal defense attorney first listens to the specific details of your unique case. Then, they can determine what defenses are ideal for your situation. In most white collar offenses, the existence of criminal intent is important to obtain a conviction. If the prosecution cannot prove criminal intent, then you cannot be convicted. You may have been coerced into criminal activity, or you may have been unaware that you were participating in something illegal. This may be one option for your defense.

Your attorney may also focus on the violation of your civil rights. This may include entrapment or illegal search and seizures. The right defense for your case will rely on the type of crime committed, the evidence against you, and other specifics about your situation.

FAQs

Q: What Are the Top Three White Collar Crimes?

A: The top three white collar crimes are corporate fraud, securities fraud, and money laundering. There are many white collar crimes that fit under the definition of fraud, such as credit card fraud, mail fraud, impersonation, and wire fraud. The most common white collar crimes occur in a business or corporate setting, typically committed by employees, employers, executives, and others within the company. Embezzlement, forgery, and insider trading are other common white collar crimes.

Q: What Percentage of White Collar Criminals Go to Jail?

A: 39% of white collar criminals who are arrested go to jail. This is based on statistics gathered by the Bureau of Justice in 1983, which stated that 88% of those arrested for white collar crimes were prosecuted, and 74% of those prosecuted were convicted. 60% of those convicted were incarcerated. These statistics do not account for white collar criminals who are not arrested, charged, and investigated. They may also not reflect more recent arrest and incarceration rates.

Q: What Is the Average Age of White Collar Criminals?

A: The average age of white collar criminals is the late twenties to early thirties, according to information gathered by the FBI from 1997 to 1999. The offenders for most white collar crimes were white men, although there are proportionally more women committing white collar crimes than other types of offenses. Different types of white collar crimes may have different average ages for offenders.

Q: What Is the Most Serious White Collar Crime?

A: The most serious type of white collar crime is a federal felony, meaning that it crosses state lines and is serious enough to be charged as a felony. Many white collar offenses can be charged as felonies or misdemeanors, depending on the amount of money gained, the offender’s prior criminal history, and the specific crime committed. Federal offenses are much more serious than state offenses. A federal felony can result in years in prison, thousands or even hundreds of thousands in fines, and restitution paid to the victims of the crime.

Protecting Your Rights Against White Collar Criminal Charges in Long Island

When you need effective and skilled legal representation, contact The Vitaliano Law Firm.