If you have been accused of or charged with a white-collar crime, there is no time to waste. It's imperative that you seek legal counsel immediately, especially because white-collar crimes are normally associated with larger-scale businesses, which have their own teams of attorneys on standby. If you don't have a Greenville white-collar crime lawyer on your side, fighting for you, it's extremely plausible that you will lose in court.
At Touma Law Group in Greenville, South Carolina, we have the passion and drive for the law needed to defend our clients from the large businesses that are trying to bring them down.
Common Types of White Collar Crimes in South Carolina
The most common types of white-collar crimes are as follows:
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Ponzi schemes
- Bankruptcy fraud
- Accepting bribes
- Insider trading
- Tax fraud
- Securities Fraud
- Wire fraud
- Money Laundering
- Health Care Fraud
- Insurance Fraud
- Tax Evasion
While these are the most common types of white-collar crimes, any types of fraud committed in "white-collar" settings fall under the category of white-collar crimes. This is because white-collar crimes make up a very broad category, and include all non-violent, financial crimes committed in white-collar settings, but white-collar workers. These crimes are normally split between fraud and non-fraud, and the processes and penalties for each vary vastly.
Penalties for White Collar Crimes in SC
Because white-collar crimes are such a broad category, the penalties range widely. Many white-collar crimes carry federal charges. This can mean simple fines and/or probation, all the way up to years of jail time. While these crimes normally average about $10,000 in stolen, embezzled, or fraudulently gained funds, this number can, and has, stretching up into the millions. Obviously, the worse your white-collar crime or the more money you can about illegally, the longer and harsher your sentence will be.
As a basic guideline, most sentencing for average white-collar crimes is around:
- <$2,000 - Up to $1,000 fine, up to 30 days in jail
- $2,000 to $10,000 - Fines vary, up to 5 years in jail
$10,000 - Fines vary, up to 10 years in jail
The details of your case can add on or take away any additional sentencing, including house arrest, probation, paying for the prosecution's attorney fees, paying restitution, and even court-ordered mental health help.
For a better idea of exactly what punishments you might be facing if you receive criminal convictions, reviewing your case with your legal team can help you understand your footing.
Common Defenses Against White Collar Crime Charges
As any seasoned criminal defense lawyer knows, when it comes to white-collar crimes, the best defense is normally entrapment. This means that the criminal lawyer is claiming that their client was tricked and pulled into committing a crime on purpose. In order to prove this, the attorney must convince the jury that the criminal offenses were only committed because their client was essentially "peer pressured" into committing the crime.
The second most used defense for white-collar crimes is lack of intent. A lot of evidence found during criminal investigations into white-collar crimes is circumstantial. Unlike violent crimes that often include hard evidence such as DNA, and footage. White-collar crimes are normally built on heresay and opportunity.
In these cases, all a defense attorney needs to do and prove that their client did not have the motive to commit these crimes and present other suspects who are just as likely to have committed the crimes. This rids the probable cause surrounding the client. This defense is especially effective if the defendant does not have a prior criminal record.
Call Us Today
Just like every other city, Greenville, South Carolina sees its fair share of criminal charges for white-collar offenses. Many of these offenders were tricked or pressured into the crimes they committed, or are simply being scapegoated to take the fall for the real perpetrator. No matter what your circumstances, if you have been charged with a white-collar crime in South Carolina, the criminal defense team of Touma Law Group is ready to help you.
Call us today for a free consultation, and let's get to work.