White collar crime is typically described as nonviolent crimes that involve an element of deception for the purposes of financial gain. Despite the fact that these criminal offenses are nonviolent in nature, they still may result in harsh penalties for those who are convicted of them.
If you have been accused of any type of financial criminal offense or white collar crime, you may want to contact a Jefferson County white collar criminal defense lawyer. An accomplished criminal attorney could advise you on your legal options and build a strong defense on your behalf.
Common Types of CrimesTitle 13A, Chapter 9 of the Alabama Code, which is entitled “Forgery and Fraudulent Practices,” sets forth most of the commonly-known white collar crimes under Alabama law. Alabama Code § 13A-9-2 through § 13A-9-4 (2016) sets forth the different forgery crimes, which range from fourth-degree through first-degree forgery.
Forgery crimes primarily involve making alterations to instruments or documents, typically of a financial or legal nature, with the intent to defraud another, or possessing or attempting to pass off fraudulent instruments for the purposes of defrauding another.
Under § 13A-9-14, it is also a crime to take, exert control over, or use another’s debit or credit card without its owner’s consent. Individuals may commit the criminal offense of fraudulent use of a debit or credit card if they use or attempt to use another’s debit or credit card to obtain property or services or anything else of value, with the knowledge that the card is stolen, revoked, canceled, or otherwise unauthorized by the owner of the card.
Business FraudVarious types of business-related fraud are listed under § 13A-9-40 through § 13A-9-52. These criminal offenses may include deceptive business practices, false advertising, defrauding secured creditors, falsifying business records, and issuing false financial statements. Another common type of financial fraud listed in this section of the Alabama Code is the misapplication of property, which covers the misuse of property or funds by a fiduciary, government employee, or a bank employee. Given the severity of business fraud charges, individuals who are facing accusations of financial wrongdoing may benefit from the advice of a white-collar criminal defense attorney in Jefferson County.
Penalties for White Collar CrimesCriminal charges in Jefferson County for white collar crimes may range from Class B misdemeanors for less serious criminal offenses to Class B felonies for more serious criminal offenses. For instance, a first-degree forgery is a Class B felony, which carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence of two years to a maximum of 20 years, as well as a fine of up to $30,000.
Falsifying business records is a Class B misdemeanor, which might result in a sentence of incarceration of up to six months and a fine of up to $3,000. Individuals who are convicted of financial or fraud-related crimes also may sustain irreparable damage to their professional reputations and ability to obtain gainful employment. A financial crime may, in many cases, prohibit individuals from ever working in certain industries again, such as in financial institutions or government agencies. To avoid such repercussions, a defendant should contact a dedicated Jefferson County white collar criminal defense lawyer.
Let a Jefferson County White Collar Criminal Defense Attorney AssistA person who is nonviolent in nature and who is alleged to have caused others financial rather than physical or emotional harm may face harsh consequences for white collar crimes. Convictions for any white collar crime might result in jail time, high fines, restitution, and permanent damage to your professional life.
Accusations like these may make it very difficult for you to support your family or find work in your chosen profession. Contact a Jefferson County white collar criminal defense lawyer today and learn what defenses may be available to you.