Some say there has been an increase of certain types of crime in Florida and throughout the United States. In many regions, it appears that white collar crime is on the rise, with charges often filed on suspicion of identity theft, health care fraud, unlawful credit card use and other financial crimes. Merely being accused of such crimes, however, does not necessarily mean a conviction will be handed down in court.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has stated that financial corruption and other white collar offenses costs the nation more than $300 billion every year. Whether charged as an individual or as a corporation, those accused may face severe penalties if convicted. Such penalties may include, but are not limited to, time in prison, substantial monetary fines and/or asset forfeiture.
There are often various options available to prepare a strong defense against financial institution fraud, mail fraud or other alleged offenses. With regard to financial institution fraud, for instance, the prosecution must be able to establish a defendant’s intent to defraud a particular financial entity. A person’s private and professional reputation may be on the line after being accused of white collar crime; therefore, it is advisable to seek immediate assistance from an experienced criminal defense attorney before proceeding to court.
Anyone charged with a serious white collar crime in Florida will be given every reasonable opportunity to fight all charges. In fact, one can begin to prepare for the process by contacting a lawyer as soon as one becomes subject to an investigation. Entrusting oneself to the guidance of a knowledgeable, skilled defense attorney may increase one’s chances of avoiding prison and minimizing the negative impact of the situation.
Source: law.cornell.edu, “White-collar crime“, Accessed on Aug. 19, 2106
