Criminal Defense Lawyers – Fighting For Those Accused of White Collar Crimes

The term “white collar crime” gives many different people many different impressions.  That’s likely because so many different acts could be classified as white collar crime.  The number of charges that can fall into this category has continued to grow given the advent of the Internet and other forms of technology, but there is also a misconception in existence regarding these crimes – that being convicted of one is not as serious as a conviction for a violent crime.

Below is information regarding white collar crimes that are typically federal in nature as well as examples of specific state laws in Texas that deal with these issues.  You’ll also find what you should do if you face this difficult legal situation.

Federal White Collar Crimes

There are several different crimes that are typically charged and prosecuted in federal court, and a few examples of these white collar crimes include:

• Bank fraud
• Mail and wire fraud
• Securities fraud
• Financial fraud
• Honest services fraud
• Conspiracy
• Internet and computer crimes
• Mortgage fraud
• Forgery
• Embezzlement
• Medicare/Medicaid fraud
• Insurance fraud
• Pension and ERISA (Employee Retirement Income Security Act) fraud
• Real estate fraud

• Anti-trust crimes, price fixing, bid rigging
• Tax fraud
• RICO violations
• Environmental crimes
• Espionage
• Accounting fraud
• Obstructing justice
• False statements
• Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations
• Health care fraud
• Theft
• Books and records reporting violations
• Government procurement fraud
• Contractor fraud
• Money laundering

Any or all of these crimes can be charged as felonies, and each of them carries the potential for a significant term of incarceration in a federal penitentiary.

• Fraud– The Texas fraud statute deals with several different forms of conduct, including dealing in stolen checks, credit card fraud, issuing bad checks, commercial bribery, deceptive business practices and forgery, among others.
• Computer Crimes – Computer crimes are becoming more prevalent every day, and Texas law provides for prosecution and punishment upon a conviction for such acts as breach of a computer’s security, online solicitation of a minor, and tampering with an electronic voting machine.
• Telecommunications Crimes – Telecommunication crimes can include actions performed with a cell phone or any other device of that kind.  Crimes on the books in Texas that constitute telecommunications crimes include unauthorized use of a telecommunications service, manufacture, possession or delivery of an unlawful telecommunications device, theft of telecommunications service, and publication of a telecommunications access device.
• Money Laundering – Money laundering is often prosecuted on the federal level, but if it occurs within the borders of Texas it can also be prosecuted on the state level.  If the amount of money laundered exceeds $200,000.00, the convicted defendant would face sanctions associated with a first degree felony.
• Insurance Fraud – Insurance fraud deals with a defendant who allegedly acted in a way that he or she intended to obtain money from insurance companies wrongfully.  Conduct that could be considered insurance fraud includes filing a false claim, failing to disclose material facts for an investigation, and other actions.  If the fraud committed constitutes a value of more than $200,000.00, the convicted defendant would face the punishment commensurate with a first degree felony.
• Bribery and Corrupt Influence – This chapter in the Texas statutes deals with several different acts, including bribery, coercion of a public servant or voter, improper influence, tampering with a witness, obstruction or retaliation, and offering a gift to a public servant.

As referred to above, the amount of jail or prison time that could attach to a conviction of a white collar crime depends in large part on the amount of money or value of benefits wrongfully obtained.  There are some white collar crimes that are classified as Class A misdemeanors, which carry a maximum penalty of one year of incarceration and a $4,000.00 fine, and others that are first degree felonies.  First degree felonies can carry a prison term of anywhere between 5 – 99 years in prison and a $10,000.00 fine.

How to Proceed

If you are facing any sort of white collar crime investigation, you need to act now to make sure that you properly build a strong defense.  Contact the criminal defense lawyers at the law firm of Zimmermann, Lavine, Zimmermann, & Sampson, P.C. today to schedule an initial consultation.

back to top