White collar crimes are actually a wide group of offenses that encompass non-violent issues, usually involving financial transactions. These crimes are usually committed by a person in a position of trust or someone with a fiduciary responsibility to a victim. However, while the traditional idea of a person charged with a “white collar” crime is a person working in an office building and dressed up in a suit, the reality is that these charges can fall on anyone.
At Okabe & Haushalter, our Chicago white collar crime defense attorneys are standing by to help if you or a loved one have been charged with a crime. These offenses are pursued aggressively by federal and state prosecutors, and you need to be sure that you have a strong criminal defense team by your side.
Types of White Collar Crimes in Chicago
White collar crimes against corporations, individuals, or even government agencies, are typically economic in nature. Most of these offenses are handled by local and state authorities, though federal agencies may step in to handle alleged crimes against the federal government. Some of the most common white collar crimes that the attorneys at Okabe & Haushalter help clients with include the following:
- Check Fraud
- Computer Fraud
- Consumer Fraud
- Counterfeiting
- Credit Card Fraud
- Identification Theft
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Forgery
- ATM Fraud
- Bank Fraud
- Bribery
- Fraud or Theft
- Healthcare Fraud
- Insurance Fraud
- Public Corruption
- RICO Violations
- Stock Fraud
- Tax Fraud
- Mail or Wire Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Mortgage Fraud
CONSEQUENCES OF COMMITTING A WHITE COLLAR CRIME
White collar crimes are usually felony offenses, which means they can incur a prison sentence of 1 – 30 years and a fine of $25,000 or more, depending on the type of white collar crime committed. A few white collar offenses are misdemeanors, such as bribery involving less than $500,000, but these are less common than felonies. Prevent yourself from facing such serious penalties if you have been arrested for a white collar crime. Contact Okabe & Haushalter right away for capable defense from Chicago criminal defense attorneys. Contrary to popular belief, sentences of white collar crimes are not going to be served in a comfortable “Country Club” kind of setting.
As you can see here, the sentencing penalties vary widely for white collar crimes. However, there are also various other possible punitive outcomes for a white collar crime conviction. This can include:
- Possible probation sentences
- Significant fines
- Community service
- Restitution
- Property forfeiture
As the prosecution of white collar crimes becomes more common, the length and severity of sentences are also increasing. Fines for white collar crimes in the Chicago area may be in the tens of thousands of dollars, not including the seizure of the “fruits of the crime” or restitution that are already imposed.
White collar crimes are going to be vigorously pursued by prosecutors who have extensive resources to use against you. Additionally, they often spent years gathering evidence and crafting their case before they file charges or hand down an indictment. The tools available to prosecutors include grand juries and an array of investigators. That is why it is so important for you to seek assistance from a skilled Chicago white collar crime attorney who can match the resources used by prosecutors in an effort to ensure that your rights are upheld.
Should You Speak To A Lawyer If You Find Out You Are Under Investigation
Sometimes a person does not know that they are facing any kind of investigation for white collar crimes until police officers or federal agents show up at their door to arrest them. However, it is not uncommon for the subject of an investigation to be aware that they are being investigated.
If you have reason to believe that you are under investigation for any kind of white collar crime, the time to speak to an attorney is now. The truth of the matter is that state and federal investigators do not take these cases lightly, and they do not typically spend resources investigating something when they think there is no crime.
By seeking assistance from my skilled Chicago white collar crime attorney as soon as you know you are under investigation, your lawyer can begin to play defense on your behalf. Your attorney can start to gain an understanding of the case being built against you. They will also be able to conduct their own investigation in order to uncover evidence that prosecutors may use against you as well as evidence that can be used to bolster your side of the case.
It is always better to have an attorney at your side in these cases, even if you are sure you did nothing wrong. Without the resources and legal expertise necessary to stand up to prosecutors, a person being investigated may end up on the wrong side of the prison bars.
HOW OUR FIRM CAN HELP
Anyone charged with a crime has the right to an attorney. Yes, you will have access to a public defender for these cases, but we need to stress that this may not be the best route for your case. Due to the nature of these crimes, investigations to help with your defense may require a particular skill set that a public defender is not equipped to handle. This is not to say that public defenders are not good at what they do, but they will generally be tasked with handling dozens of cases at once. At Okabe & Haushalter, our Chicago white collar crime defense attorneys will take the time to investigate every aspect of your case. You will have an attorney by your side that is devoted only to ensuring the best possible outcome for your situation. Our goal is to get the charges against you dropped altogether, but we will also explore any possible negotiation for a plea deal if necessary.
Our team handles each case aggressively and will thoroughly investigate the details to maximize your defense. We have been recognized in the news and through client testimonials for our skill and ability to achieve results, so find out exactly what we can do for you by calling now to schedule an initial case evaluation. Okabe & Haushalter has been selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers® Magazine on multiple occasions. Additionally, Ryan Okabe is currently rated 9.3 Superb and Mark J. Haushalter is rated 10.0 Superb on Avvo. Contact our offices at your earliest convenience for the competent legal representation needed to fight your charges.