Ventura White-Collar Crimes Attorney

Are you facing accusations of a white-collar crime? If so, your reputation and your career are at risk. Being convicted of a white-collar crime can destroy your credibility within your professional life, which will make it difficult to keep your job or find new opportunities. For many offenses, you could even face prison time, whether in county jail, a state prison, or a federal prison.

It is vital to hire a lawyer who can provide sophisticated legal counsel and guidance on how to handle your white-collar crime charges. At the Law Offices of Bamieh and De Smeth, our Ventura white-collar crime attorneys can be in your corner every step of the way to help you face the case against you. If you were charged with a serious white-collar crime, call our law offices today to schedule a free, confidential legal consultation.  Our number is (805) 643-5555.

Definition of “White-Collar” Crimes in California

“White-collar crime” is an umbrella term that describes a range of crimes typically involving business, fraud, or financial schemes. Generally, this class of crime is considered nonviolent, though white-collar crimes do sometimes incorporate violence. Typically, white-collar crime involves crimes dealing with sophisticated acts involving financial transactions and fraud that are difficult to trace and could go undetected.  Many times, these crimes involve occupational crime committed against your employer or corporate crime committed to benefit your company.

The classification of “white-collar crime” is an informal classification used to set these kinds of offenses apart from “traditional crime” or “street crime.”  Its official definition has no bearing on your case, and the law does not use an official definition to separate these crimes out.

The following are all common examples of white-collar offenses:

  • Embezzlement
  • Money laundering
  • Tax fraud and tax evasion
  • Mail fraud and wire fraud
  • Racketeering
  • Nonreporting for financial transactions
  • Structuring financial transactions
  • Securities crimes
  • Corporate theft
  • Corporate espionage
  • Ponzi schemes
  • Bribery
  • Identity theft
  • Credit card fraud
  • Insurance fraud
  • Healthcare fraud
  • Social Security fraud

Many of these crimes are designated as “white-collar” crimes because they are commonly committed by white-collar individuals.  These crimes are often committed within middle- and upper-class settings, often involving perpetrators with no prior criminal record.  These crimes typically have a different public perception that they are “not as bad” as crimes like robbery or burglary. Still, the amount of money stolen and the amount of harm done is often much higher than the harm in street crimes involving theft, so these offenses may still carry high penalties.

The penalties for a white-collar crime vary based upon the specific offense. In these cases, severity is typically determined by the amount of money that was allegedly taken. Sentences can include a range of jail time, fines, and other penalties. In some cases, you may be able to avoid jail time if you can get a sentence involving probation, but your crime may require jail time under some sentencing guidelines.

Conviction of a white-collar crime can be expensive, so it is imperative that you hire the right criminal defense lawyer.  Your attorney can negotiate charges with the prosecution, potentially leading to dropped charges in exchange for civil penalties, reduced charges, or a negotiated sentence.

State and Federal White-Collar Crimes in California

Because many white-collar crimes involve finances and interstate systems like the mail or the internet, these crimes often fall under the jurisdiction of the United States government instead of the State of California.  If this is the case, your crime may be investigated by federal law enforcement like the FBI.

In the same way that the crimes and perpetrators are often more sophisticated, federal law enforcement is also more sophisticated.  Their funding, training, and techniques may involve strategies that local and state law enforcement do not have access to, which could increase the seriousness of the investigation against you.  Federal prosecutors are U.S. Attorneys and Assistant U.S. Attorneys working directly for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and their legal strategies and experience are often at a high level.

If you are charged with a federal white-collar crime, you will need an equally sophisticated defense team to fight your case.  The attorneys at Bamieh and De Smeth may be able to represent you in federal court to fight the charges against you.

White-Collar Crime Defense Lawyers

When it comes to white-collar criminal charges, your best defensive strategy begins when an investigation starts. White-collar crimes are unique among most criminal offenses in that you will typically be aware that an investigation is taking place well before you are arrested or charged. This may be overwhelming and stressful, but it also means that you have an advantage that most defendants do not get.

With our legal counsel and guidance, we can help prevent charges and negotiate with investigators on your behalf to ensure that your rights are protected. It is common for suspects of white-collar crimes to give in to law enforcement’s demands and waive their constitutional rights out of fear and anxiety. Our team of legal professionals will act aggressively and effectively to fight your charges and build a case of innocence before formal charges are filed.

The next step in your defense is representing you at trial. If your charges are brought before a judge, there are a number of strategies that we can use to defend you. Our team will work diligently to find any holes in the prosecution’s evidence, challenge the admissibility of evidence, and put forth a strong defense to combat the case against you.

Call Our Ventura White-Collar Crime Defense Attorneys for a Free Legal Consultation

Facing charges of a white-collar crime can completely interrupt your life and consume your time. At the Law Offices of Bamieh and De Smeth, we understand that you want to move past the accusations so that you can get back to your life and your business. Our mission is to ensure that our clients are informed and protected every step of the way because we know that your future is on the line.  Call our Ventura white-collar crime lawyers today at (805) 643-5555 to set up a free, confidential legal consultation.

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