New York City White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyer
New York state district attorneys are some of the most seasoned prosecutors in the country when it comes to white-collar crimes. To counter these efforts and maximize your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome, you should consult with a New York City white collar criminal defense lawyer as soon as you learn that you are under investigation.
Whether you are currently under investigation or have already been charged with a white-collar crime, you cannot afford to hesitate. An adept white collar defense attorney will utilize their extensive resources and experience to vigorously defend your rights at every stage of the criminal process.
White Collar Crimes in New York City
White collar crime is a label that encompasses a broad range of non-violent and financially motivated offenses. White collar crimes can be committed by private individuals, businesses, or government employees.
There are a wide-variety of white collar crimes enumerated under federal and state laws, most of which involve some form of deception and unlawful financial gain.
In New York, white collar crimes include, but are not limited to:
- Securities fraud
- Insurance fraud
- Credit card fraud
- Healthcare fraud
- Mortgage fraud
- Forgery/counterfeiting
- Tax violations
- Bribery
- Embezzlement
- Cybercrime and identity theft
- Extortion (blackmail)
- Public corruption
- Larceny
- Racketeering
- Money laundering
Although the term “white-collar crime” is not defined by statute, each of the offenses listed above have their own distinct elements under New York’s penal code provisions and various federal statutes. A person charged with a white-collar crime may face prosecution in a federal or New York State court.
Penalties for white-collar crimes vary considerably depending on the severity of the offense and the accused’s level of involvement. Punishment may include some combination of fines, incarceration, restitution, probation, and asset forfeiture. It is not uncommon for white-collar crimes to also result in civil suits. A skilled New York City white collar criminal defense attorney can help mitigate ay potential penalties a person may face.
White Collar Crime Investigations
Generally speaking, investigations into white-collar crimes tend to be complex, involve a significant number of documents, and time-intensive. Due to the complicated nature of financial crimes, the district attorneys’ offices within New York State have to devote a good deal of resources into investigating and prosecuting these cases.
Large-scale fraud or corruption schemes may trigger coordinated investigations by multiple governmental agencies.
White Collar Crime Prosecution
Despite New York’s role as the financial capital of the country, the state’s white-collar crime laws have not been revised since 1986. In 2012, the New York State White Collar Task Force was formed to review current white-collar laws and recommend reforms. The task force issued a report in 2013, recommending extensive procedural changes and legislative amendments for how white-collar crimes are prosecuted.
Some of the reforms include changes to the grand jury procedure, the accomplice accommodation rule, updating laws to strengthen protections for elder persons against exploitation, expanding the definition of property under the larceny statute to include personal identifying information, and enhancing punishments for the crime of scheme to defraud.
If the recommendations are implemented by the New York State Assembly, it would have a significant impact on white-collar prosecutions at the state level.
Work with a New York City White Collar Criminal Defense Attorney Today
When facing charges for white collar crimes, it is vital that you work with a dedicated attorney who can work tirelessly to build your defense. A skilled defense team can bolster your chances at a positive outcome. If you have been charged with fraud, embezzlement, or another type of white collar crime, contact a New York City white collar criminal defense lawyer today to discuss your defense options.