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Tucson White Collar Crime Lawyer
White collar crimes are non-violent in nature and are often employed to fraud or hide specific activities to receive a personal or professional advantage. These white collar crimes are often committed by those in a higher economic class, where they have access to and power over certain functions of an organization. Fraud, embezzlement, and insider trading are common examples. If you have been accused of a white collar crime, a Tucson white collar crime lawyer can help.
At Ralls & Wille, P.C., we have spent years defending clients who have been accused of engaging in a white collar crime. We understand how distressing these allegations can be and how they can impact your reputation. To rectify the issue, our law firm conducts deep investigations into what you are being accused of and will utilize every legal tool available to ensure justice is served.
The Most Common Types of White Collar Crimes in Tucson
Most white collar crimes are complex schemes that are strategically designed to access certain financial gains through deceptive means. While they are non-violent, the lasting impact on victims can take a significant toll on their financial and mental health.
Some of the most common white collar crimes include:
Fraud
The term “fraud” is extremely broad and covers many different white collar crime examples. In general, the act of fraud is when an individual deliberately misrepresents or omits certain information with the intention of deceiving or manipulating someone else to receive some sort of financial gain.
For example, an individual could inflate how much money they actually make each year to secure a higher mortgage. This also includes the intentional spread of misinformation to help boost a company’s stock price to be higher than it would be without the deception.
Embezzlement
When someone is found guilty of embezzlement, it means they have illegally transferred money from an individual or business over to themselves. This is often someone who is in a trusted leadership position and has the capability of accessing these funds. Sometimes, this is an employee who diverts company profits, or it’s a higher-level executive who might charge personal expenses on their corporate credit card.
Insider Trading
It is unlawful to sell any of your personal stock in a company based on insider knowledge you have about the organization or market. Because individuals who work at a company have access to nonpublic information, it gives them an unfair advantage to manage their stocks and sell when they have an indication the price will be going down. This is why the government invests in monitoring and regulating this function of business to maintain market integrity.
Money Laundering
Money that is illegally obtained and passed on in disguise to another account can be considered money laundering. This is usually a thoughtful plan to advance funds through a complicated sequence of bank transfers to make the money appear as if it was lawfully obtained. Once the process is complete, offenders of this crime typically intend to use the funds for whatever they want, under the impression that no one will ever be able to trace it back to its origins.
Identity Theft
Using someone else’s personal information to commit any time of fraud is an illegal act of identity theft. This could be when someone uses another person’s social security number or credit card to make illegal purchases, steal money, or acquire a loan under someone else’s information. Victims of this crime face huge financial damages and will need to work hard to regain their funds and restore the integrity of their name.
Tax Evasion
Intentional acts to avoid paying taxes owed to the government are classified as tax evasion. This can be done at the individual or corporate level. Common actions to avoid paying taxes in Tucson, AZ include underreporting someone’s income, inflating how much they are able to deduct, or hiding extra money that was earned in offshore accounts. This is illegal as it prevents the government from being able to fund certain public services.
FAQs
Q: What Is a White Collar Defense Attorney?
A: These attorneys are specifically trained to defend individuals who have been accused of engaging in deceit or financial misconduct. They have experience investigating what laws exist to protect their clients while being able to poke holes in any allegations from the prosecution. While these attorneys are primarily interested in dropping the charges against their clients, they also can help to reduce the severity of any crime if their client chooses to confess guilt.
Q: How Are White Collar Crimes Investigated?
A: Various specialized law enforcement agencies like the FBI and IRS are usually tapped to help investigate any suspicion of a white collar crime. These investigations traditionally start with the collection of documents like bank records and emails to analyze their details and see if they point to any illegal activity. Members of these agencies will also take time to interview witnesses who may have first-hand knowledge of someone’s character or behavior at work.
Q: What Defenses Are Available for White Collar Charges?
A: Because white collar criminals are often highly intelligent and calculated in their actions, it sometimes leads investigators to making mistakes that could dismiss specific pieces of evidence in court. For example, if law enforcement is found guilty of engaging in entrapment, this could remove any evidence they collected during that event. Otherwise, a defense attorney will need to point out a lack of sufficient evidence in court to raise doubt their client is guilty.
Q: Can White Collar Crimes Result in Prison Sentences?
A: Yes, someone found guilty of committing a white collar crime can face time in prison. This is especially true when large sums of money are involved, or significant damage has occurred to an individual or organization. However, being accused of a white collar crime does not automatically mean jail is inevitable. A defense attorney can help to prove your innocence in court or reduce a jail sentence to house arrest or fines as an alternative punishment.
Contact Ralls & Wille, P.C. Today
If you have been accused of engaging in a white collar crime and are not sure where to turn, give the criminal defense attorneys at Ralls & Wille a call. For years, we have provided legal counsel to help reduce penalties and defend our clients’ conduct. We would be honored to extend this same service to you and represent your case. Contact us today to begin protecting your reputation and resolving your legal disputes.
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