White Collar Crimes

If you’ve been accused of a white collar crime, you may be looking at incarceration, financial penalties, probation, and a permanent criminal record. While the prosecuting attorney must establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, there is much you can do to protect your own legal interests. No matter what the charges may be, your first step should be hiring a dedicated Michigan white collar crimes attorney to defend your rights.

Whether you are facing accusations of embezzlement, financial transaction device, securities fraud, health care fraud, business fraud, insurance fraud or any other type of white collar crimes, you can rely on the criminal defense attorneys at the office of Michigan Defense Law. White collar crimes are very complex, and often involve many parties, levels of authority, and financial professionals. Our lawyers bring the fight to the prosecution, enabling us to minimize the legal implications and identify weaknesses in the state’s case against you.

Fighting for Your Rights in Michigan Criminal Cases

The term “white-collar crime” can be used to describe a wide range of offenses that encompass dishonesty or misconduct in business dealings. Our white collar crimes lawyers are with you every step of the way, defending your interests in such charges as:

• Embezzlement: When a person has control over money or assets of another individual or business, embezzlement charges may apply if he or she uses it, converts it for personal use, or fraudulently disposes of it.

Penalties

The punishment for embezzlement depends upon the value of the property that the person allegedly converted. An amount less than $200 and up to $1,000 is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by 93 days to one year in prison and fines up to $500-$1,000 or more. For embezzlement amounts of $1,000 to in excess of $100,000, the offense is a felony with increased sentencing from 5-20 years in prison and a fine that could exceed $50,000. It is often crucial to the defense of the case to fight over the value of the lost property as the prosecutor will often claim it is more than it really was.

• Fraud: If you knowingly make a misrepresentation of fact, with the intent of misleading a victim and financially gaining from the statement, the crime is fraud. There are three general categories of fraud offenses, depending on the circumstances of the misrepresentation:
  • Mail Fraud
  • Wire Fraud
  • Bank Fraud

Keep in mind that each fraudulent transaction may lead to a separate count of fraud or embezzlement. Plus, Michigan prosecutors can seek increased sentencing if you have a history of convictions for financial crimes.

You Can Trust a Bloomfield Hills Attorney With Your Defense

Considering the highly complex nature of white collar crimes, it’s wise to consult with an experienced defense attorney as soon as possible – especially if you know you’re being investigated or have been arrested. Michigan law is tough on these charges, and you face significant penalties if convicted. A skilled criminal defense lawyer will explain your options and develop a strategy that increases your chances of a positive outcome. If you have questions about a white collar crime case, please contact the law firm of Michigan Defense Law or call our Bloomfield Hills office at (248) 451-2200. We can schedule a consultation to review the details of your case.