Dallas White Collar Crime Lawyer

Dallas White Collar Crime Attorney

The phrase “white collar crime” broadly applies to many types of criminal offenses, the majority of which are nonviolent and financial in nature. It’s important to understand that just because a criminal offense does not involve violence does not mean it is a minor offense. White collar crime can lead to severe penalties, and if you have been accused of any such crime, it is vital to work with an experienced Dallas white collar crimes lawyer.

Experienced Criminal Defense for White Collar Crime Cases in Dallas, TX

Harris & Harris Law Group, PLLC, offers comprehensive criminal defense counsel for the most challenging white collar crime cases in the Dallas area. The attorneys at our firm have decades of professional experience representing clients in all types of criminal cases, and we know what could be at stake in your impending white collar crime case. Our team is ready to assist you in formulating an effective defense.

It is vital to understand the value of having experienced criminal defense counsel on your side when you have been charged with any crime. Your defense lawyer can ensure your rights are protected through all stages of your proceedings, from initial arrest and booking through arraignment and trial proceedings. They may be able to identify possible defenses that you may have overlooked on your own.

Defining White Collar Crimes in Dallas

An experienced Dallas white collar crimes lawyer can assist you in determining the most viable defense strategies that could be available to you in your impending case. White collar crime is a broad area of criminal law that entails many types of illegal activities. Many such activities occur within business operations, and it is possible for people working at a company to be unaware that they are engaged in illegality.

A few of the most commonly cited examples of white collar crimes include:

• Fraud. This is a broad term that can define any situation in which a party falsifies and/or misrepresents official information for the purposes of personal gain. Wire fraud, check fraud, insurance fraud, and securities fraud are some of the most common white collar crimes prosecuted in the United States.
• This term means taking and using company assets for personal enrichment and is illegal as well as a crime against the business, resulting in civil damages.
• Intellectual property crimes. This can include copyright and trademark infringement, theft of company secrets, and corporate espionage.
• Money laundering. This term applies to any situation in which a legitimate business funnels proceeds from illegal activity to disguise the funds as legitimate. This is most common with cash-based businesses.

These are just a few examples of white collar crimes that can lead to severe penalties. As most of these offenses involve the illegal taking of property, a defendant charged with any form of white collar crime can face penalties, including heavy fines, restitution to the victims of their actions, loss of their professional licenses, and even imprisonment. Any white collar crime against a government entity could lead to prosecution in federal court.

Know Your Rights During an Arrest

Whenever an American citizen is placed under arrest for any crime, they have two constitutional rights that come into play in this situation. The Fifth Amendment ensures their right to remain silent and their protection from self-incrimination, and the Sixth Amendment ensures their right to legal representation. The arresting officer is required to read the suspect their Miranda rights upon placing them under arrest if they intend to question them about the offense they were arrested for.

Once you have been arrested, say nothing until you have the chance to contact a Dallas white collar crimes lawyer to defend you. Do not sign any statements prepared by the police or answer their questions. Comply with their instructions, but remain silent until you can speak with a defense attorney. Anything you say is likely to be included in your arrest report and may be used against you in later proceedings.

Potential Defenses to White Collar Crime Charges

If you have been charged with a crime in Dallas, it is up to the prosecution to prove you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The burden of proof rests on the prosecution in every criminal case, and the standard of proof “beyond a reasonable doubt” means the prosecution must prove that there is no room for doubt as to whether the defendant committed the offense.

Your Dallas white collar crimes lawyer can help determine which defense is most suitable for your situation:

• You may need to prove a mistake of fact, meaning there are errors in the prosecution’s evidence, or they simply got aspects of their case wrong. It is also possible for criminal charges to arise from simple recordkeeping or clerical errors.
• A defendant may need to prove a lack of knowledge that they were a participant in an illegal operation. For example, if you have been arrested for things you did at work while performing your job duties but had no idea your employer was using you to commit a crime, it is a potentially viable defense.
• Some defendants may attempt to prove they had no intent to commit a crime. They may have been compelled to perform illegal acts at the command of their superiors at work, not knowing that such acts were illegal. If you were forced to engage in illegal activity under duress, an experienced Dallas white collar crimes lawyer would be the most valuable asset you could have on your side during your case proceedings.

Ultimately, every white collar crime case is entirely unique, and these are some of the most complex criminal cases tried in the Dallas criminal justice system. Crimes of a financial nature may extend over months or even years of illegal activity, requiring the prosecution to perform extensive research and fact-finding in building their case.

Some white collar crime cases unfold under the direction of federal law enforcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are a few of the government agencies that most often prosecute white collar crimes at the federal level. If you have been charged with any federal offense, it is imperative to find experienced defense counsel who can represent you in federal criminal court.

What to Expect From Your Dallas White Collar Crimes Lawyer

The Harris & Harris Law Group, PLLC, has years of professional experience handling a wide range of complex white collar crime cases. When you choose our firm as your defense counsel, we can immediately begin researching your case, examining the circumstances of your arrest and booking, and determining the most viable defenses you have at your disposal. We can also ensure your rights are protected throughout all your criminal court proceedings.

While the prosecutor’s goal is to prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, it is your defense attorney’s goal to prevent them from meeting this burden of proof. Your attorney may also highlight issues with the prosecution’s collection of evidence, the handling of your arrest, or other mistakes of law.

It is also possible that you could prove that you were forced to do something at work that amounted to illegal activity, but you had no intention of breaking the law and/or personally benefiting from your actions. It is also possible that you will need to prove that you had no knowledge of the issue and that you were unwittingly made to participate in some sort of illegal operation.

If you did break the law, it is still vital to have trustworthy defense counsel to help you mitigate the penalties that could be assigned to you. Most white collar crime charges can lead to severe penalties, but it is possible for some defendants to avoid the worst possible penalties they face for their crimes under certain conditions.

After the state prosecutor has received and reviewed the case, they may offer a plea bargain to the defendant in exchange for the defendant’s immediate guilty plea for a reduced or dropped charges and/or a lighter sentence. Some defendants are offered these incentives in exchange for their cooperation in prosecuting related criminal cases.

If you are offered a plea deal, your Dallas white collar crimes lawyer can help determine whether the terms of the deal suit your interests or if you would have a better chance of reaching a positive conclusion in court. Some prosecutors offer plea deals when they are uncertain of whether they can secure a conviction, hoping that a defendant will plead guilty and streamline the forthcoming court proceedings.

Whatever your case may entail, you need a Dallas white collar crimes lawyer you trust on your side so you can navigate your proceedings with confidence and peace of mind. The Harris & Harris Law Group, PLLC, is ready to provide the defense representation you need in this situation. Contact us today to schedule your case evaluation with a trustworthy Dallas white collar crimes lawyer.