A Bradenton white-collar crime is commonly known as a nonviolent economic crime, which usually involves corporate crimes or breaking environmental laws. The people who tend to be found guilty of committing white-collar crimes are those involved in the business world, and their motives are to achieve financial gain at any cost. It is worth noting that white-collar crimes can be punished at either a state or federal level.
When you see or hear about a criminal that held a bank employee at gunpoint and took all the money from the bank, you automatically consider this a serious crime. However, a businessman sitting in a company office and using the computer to transfer the company’s profits to their own personal bank account is just as serious. The businessman has committed a robbery just like the man with the gun. This is recognized as a white-collar crime, but the only difference is that the businessman committed the crime in a nonviolent way. Both thieves will have no choice but to face the same justice system in the State of Florida and receive punishment for their crimes.
If you are being accused of committing a Bradenton white-collar crime, then we highly recommend that you seek legal representation as soon as possible. At The Law Place, we have over seventy-five years of collective experience and knowledge when it comes to fighting white collar-crimes and assisting clients in Bradenton and throughout the State of Florida. A white-collar criminal defense attorney can answer all your questions and help you understand the laws surrounding white-collar crimes in the State of Florida.
Contact a Bradenton criminal defense lawyer from our law firm today. We will protect your good name and fight for your rights to reduce your charges and minimize the consequences that you are facing. Contact us now at (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation, and we will fight your white-collar charges together in Bradenton.
What Is a White-Collar Crime in Bradenton, FL?
White-collar crime generally encompasses a variety of nonviolent crimes usually committed in commercial situations for financial gain.
These crimes constitute a vast array of illegal acts, and it is not unusual for white-collar crimes to be difficult to identify. There are a series of factors to consider when investigating white-collar crimes. Business-minded criminals are known to utilize their resources, skillfully conceal their actives and develop a highly secure plan to achieve their goal.
Whistleblowers are particularly useful for prosecutors when they are looking into white-collar crimes. Whistleblowers can report internal wrongdoing in a business or other establishment. A whistleblower is especially helpful as they can provide inside information of suspicious activity to the prosecutor, which helps them in developing their case against an offender.
A report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) states that the United States spends around $300 million on combating white-collar crimes every single year.
Types of White-Collar Crimes in Bradenton, FL.
There are many things to consider when being accused of a white-collar crime, as there are various types. Receiving a charge will depend heavily on the details and circumstances of your case. Common examples of white-collar crimes include:
- Embezzlement – An individual who is responsible for managing shared funds and is found guilty of illegally converting the funds for their own personal agenda.
- Money laundering – Masking money that has been acquired through performing criminal activities to make it seem like the money has been acquired through legal means.
- Real estate fraud – An example of real estate fraud is when an individual puts forward a forged document to sell a property on the market.
- Mortgage fraud – Adding false information on a mortgage application, also recognized as another example of real estate fraud.
- Banking fraud – Illegally attaining funds from a financial-based business, such as a bank. An act of banking fraud includes lying on an application to acquire a loan from a bank.
- Credit card fraud – Performing identity theft or another illegal approach to secure and take advantage of someone else’s credit card.
- Mail fraud – Taking advantage of the United States Postal Service to commit a white-collar crime. An example of mail fraud includes sending fraudulent documents through the mail.
- Healthcare fraud – Illegally gaining funds by manipulating patient care or exploiting the billing process in an environment of healthcare.
- Medicare fraud – Incorrectly billing Medicare or making up a false claim to gain extra funds through Medicare services.
- Medicaid fraud – An individual who defrauds the Medicaid system.
- Conspiracy to commit fraud – An individual who joins forces with other individuals to organize and plan an act of fraud.
- Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) – An individual who takes part in fraudulent activity or becomes involved in a criminal organization of white-collar crimes.
Other types of white-collar crimes include:
- Counterfeiting
- Extortion
- Forgery
- Bribery
- Corporate crimes
- Tax Evasion
- Government fraud
- Insurance fraud
- Securities fraud
In the State of Florida, any individual can be charged with a white-collar crime. However, it is common for doctors, attorneys, stockbrokers, and other business professionals in any particular industry to be accused of white-collar crimes such as tax evasion, money laundering, embezzlement, and other offenses as listed above.
The motives of individuals who are charged with white-collar crimes tend to involve financial gain or to secure property, assets, or other kinds of benefits that could only be achieved through deception.
If you are being held under investigation but have not yet been charged, then it is essential for your case that you reach out and seek legal advice from a white-collar criminal defense attorney from The Law Place. White-collar crimes are extremely complex, and it could possibly take prosecutors weeks or even months to develop their case. There is often a large amount of paperwork and backtracking on financial transactions to sort through. Nonetheless, it is vital that you take the necessary steps to protect your good name and fight for your freedom before you are charged and arrested for a white-collar crime.
Contact us here at The Law Place, and a skilled lawyer will get to work on your case immediately. They will discuss the details and information of your case and begin to build a strong defense to take into court from your initial free consultation. Rest assured, a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer keep you informed on the progression of your case every step of the way.
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Embezzling or Illegally Copying Trade Secrets in Bradenton, FL.
The term “trade secret” refers to any kind of formula, pattern, device, or combination of all three that is owned by a corporate business. The trade secret is utilized by the members of the business to their advantage and financial gain.
Florida Statute 812.081 states that any individual who attempts to steal or embezzle a trade secret to use the information to their advantage, or to deprive the business owner of exercising their power over the trade secret, will furthermore a third-degree felony charge. The penalties include a fine of up to $5,000 and a prison sentence of up to five years.
If the individual who stole the trade secret returns it or had the intention to give it back to the business in question, then under no circumstances is the individual allowed to use this piece of information as a defense strategy in court, according to this statue.
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Committing an Act of Money Laundering in Bradenton, FL.
According to Florida Statute 896.101, also known as the Florida Money Laundering Act, it is illegal for any citizen who is residing in the State of Florida to commit these acts:
- Instigate or participate in the unlawful transaction of illicit sales of property.
- Accept that an unlawful transaction is intended to disguise or conceal the identity of the owner of the property, its profits, or the source of purchase, to avoid reporting requirements.
- Attempt to hide the details and information surrounding the unlawful transaction to evade the law.
- Sell property that would be deemed an illegal transaction according to a law enforcement officer or a legal official in the State of Florida.
An individual who is caught and arrested for committing an act of money laundering will be charged depending on the estimated value of the property and the seriousness of the crime.
- If a money laundering offense involves the transaction of profits between $300 to $2,000, then the individual will be charged with a third-degree felony. The penalties include receiving a fine of up to $5,000 and a prison sentence of up to five years.
- If a money laundering offense involves the transaction of profits between $20,000 to $100,000, then the individual will be charged with a second-degree felony. The penalties include receiving a fine of up to $10,000 and a prison sentence of up to fifteen years.
- If a money laundering offense involves the transaction of profits that exceed $100,000, then the individual will be charged with a first-degree felony. The penalties include receiving a fine between $10,000 to $15,000 and a prison sentence of up to thirty years.
An individual who is facing charges of money laundering will also receive a civil penalty that will not surpass the value or profits associated with the money laundering crime, or the amount of $25,000.
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Penalties for White-Collar Crimes in Bradenton, FL.
A white-collar crime prosecuted at the state level has more lenient penalties compared to federal court punishment. However, the penalties for a state-level charge are still relatively strict and harsh on individuals who have committed white-collar crimes. A judge will sentence individuals according to the guidelines and laws in the State of Florida:
- Second-degree misdemeanors – The penalties include receiving a fine of up to $500 and facing up to sixty days in jail in the State of Florida.
- First-degree misdemeanors – The penalties include receiving a fine of up to $1,000 and facing up to one year in jail in the State of Florida.
- Third-degree felonies – The penalties include receiving a fine of up to $5,000 and facing up to five years in state prison in the State of Florida.
- Second-degree felonies – The penalties include receiving a fine of up to $10,000 and facing up to fifteen years in state prison in the State of Florida.
- First-degree felonies – The penalties include receiving up to $10,000 and facing up to thirty years in prison in the State of Florida.
An individual will face criminal penalties depending on a series of factors, which includes a review of their personal criminal history. If the individual is being accused of a more severe white-collar offense, then the penalties will further increase.
Defenses to White-Collar Crimes in Bradenton, FL.
It is important to note that you are innocent until you are proven guilty by the prosecution in the State of Florida. For you to be convicted of any kind of crime, a prosecutor is required to prove certain aspects beyond a reasonable doubt.
For example, if you have been charged with embezzlement or tax evasion, then the prosecutor must prove that you willfully and purposely committed the offense that you have been charged for.
If you wish to receive the best legal advice in the state, then reach out and contact The Law Place today for a free consultation. A skilled white-collar crime attorney will be able to build strong defense strategies, such as being able to challenge and disprove the evidence.
Contact The Law Place in Bradenton, FL.
If you have been charged with a white-collar crime in Bradenton, then you will need all the help that you can get. Bradenton white-collar crimes are extremely serious cases, and the punishments can be harsh for those convicted of this offense.
The Law Place has acquired over seventy-five years of combined experience and knowledge, and we have a professional team of criminal defense lawyers who have the necessary skills to combat your charges. Our law firm has fought and won many white-collar crime cases in Bradenton and across the State of Florida, and we want to be the ones to support you.
A white-collar attorney from our law firm will be able to assist you in your case and help navigate the laws surrounding white-collar crimes in Florida. Florida law can be hard to understand on your own, but there is no need to be concerned, as a skilled lawyer will clearly explain everything to you.
If you wish to receive the finest legal advice in the state, then don’t hesitate to get in touch with a white-collar crime attorney from our law firm today. We can offer you a free consultation, where a lawyer will ask you the relevant questions, understand the facts of your case, and give you some unbiased advice on the smartest move to make in your situation.
If you decide to be represented by The Law Place, then a white-collar crime attorney will get to work on your case and develop a strong defense strategy to take into the courtroom. Our team of criminal defense attorneys will do everything in their power to reduce the charges and decrease the severity of the consequences that you are facing.
Contact us now at (941) 444-4444 for a free consultation, and we will fight your white-collar charges together in Bradenton.
