Criminal Defense Lawyer Grand Rapids, MI
As your criminal defense lawyer in Grand Rapids, MI from Blanchard Law may tell clients, white-collar crimes are considered to be a group of various, non-violent crimes that often involve financial transactions and frequently committed by people who have been put into a position of trust. These crimes are commonly pursued by state and federal attorney generals and typically charged as a felony. Lengthy prison sentences are standard in white collar crime sentencing. If you are being investigated, or have been arrested and charged with a white-collar crime, it is crucial that you retain a lawyer immediately.
Blanchard Law: We Aggressively Defend White-Collar Crimes
Blanchard Law has extensive legal experience defending the rights and freedoms of those who have been charged with a crime. Guided by extensive knowledge and a zealous way of thinking, each criminal defense lawyer from our firm handles every white-collar crime case with precise skill and specialized strategy that is greatly needed in these types of situations. Our firm has ample resources that include forensic accountants, investigators, analysts, and expert witnesses.
When we defend a white-collar case, we know that that the plaintiff often has a personal stake in the outcome of the case. As a result, the prosecutor may seek the maximum penalty allowed under state or federal laws. Your criminal defense lawyer and legal staff at Blanchard Law will be ready to use the necessary prowess and mastery needed to heavily scrutinize the prosecution’s case while developing the strongest defense possible to any evidence against you. To learn more about our methods, call our office today.
White-Collar Crimes in Grand Rapids, MI
Investigations that involve white-collar crime tend to be very complex and can take months, or more often years, to build. Grand jury inquiries are frequent, and when you are asked to attend one, it is prudent that you do so, but without providing any testimony before consulting with a criminal defense lawyer in Grand Rapids. By not having our team on your side, it could be very easy to transition from being a potential witness to a defendant.
White-collar crimes vary by state, but typically include those in which deceit or concealment used to obtain money, property, services, or another kind of benefit. Examples include:
- ATM fraud
- Bank fraud
- Bribery
- Check fraud
- Consumer fraud
- Counterfeiting
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Forgery
- General fraud
- Identity theft
- Money laundering
- RICO violations
- Stock fraud
- Tax fraud
White-collar crimes may involve insider trading or breaches of fiduciary duty. This can result in a federal case which means a criminal defense lawyer should have a strong degree of understanding both state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, as well as, the court system.
White-Collar Crime Penalties
Penalties for white-collar crime charges vary greatly, but may include:
- Jail or prison time
- Fines
- Restitution
- Probation
- Community service
- Forfeiture of property
- Seizure of property
Charges that involve a church or school may have mandatory sentences that do not include probation. Furthermore, the average sentence for a white-collar crime is four years in prison. Contrary to what Hollywood movies present, convicted felons of a white collar crime do not serve their time in a comfortable, luxury prison for the rich; rather, it is a standard prison.
With so many true crime documentaries and television shows out there, criminal defense strategies and potential sentences have started to become common knowledge to the general public. However, there are defenses and consequences that a MI criminal defense lawyer is aware of, that the average person probably isn’t. That is why we strongly encourage anyone who is currently facing a white collar crime to speak with our legal team and take advice from friends and family with a grain of salt, despite how well-intentioned they may be.
Common Defenses for White Collar Crimes
Some of the more frequent white collar crimes that occur include money laundering, fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, and internet crimes. Depending on the circumstances of your case, a criminal defense lawyer in Michigan from Blanchard Law may suggest using a certain defense over another. Here is a list of some of the more commonly used defense strategies for white collar crimes:
- Entrapment: when law enforcement thinks that a person or group is committing criminal activity, they may create a sting operation in hopes of catching that person in the act. However, entrapment may have occurred if the officers had induced the activity through their own behavior.
- Lack of Intent: prosecutors have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused intentionally acted with criminal motivations. Your defense attorney can argue against any evidence brought forward by the prosecution and show how your behavior lacked intent.
- Incapacity: the accused had the inability to comprehend or understand how their behavior was a criminal act, due to mental and/or physical impairments.
- Intoxication: showing that the accused was intoxicated when the supposed crime occurred can sometimes be a useful defense strategy, because it means that they weren’t in control of their actions.
- Non-Fraudulent Statements: if the accused is faced with charges of providing fraudulent information to another person, an attorney may be able to prove that it was only an opinion expressed and did not come along with criminal intentions.
- Please Agreements: if the evidence for conviction is strong and in abundance, then a Michigan criminal defense lawyer in Grand Rapids may suggest attempting to reach a plea deal with the prosecution. In this way, the accused faces lesser charges and usually in exchange for admitting they are guilty.
Despite the list written above, it is still imperative to a person’s case to get professional legal advice. All defenses and potentially sentencing is based on the unique factors of the supposed crime, along with the quality of evidence that is brought forward. It is in the best interest of the accused to meet with an attorney at Blanchard Law as soon as possible after the arrest, so we can begin building a defense for your protection. The best thing you can do to prepare for a consultation, is to start collecting a file of information about your arrest and the crime for us to review.
The Right Defense is Crucial
Blanchard Law is prepared to utilize an in-depth investigation that allows us to prepare for facing an aggressive prosecution. We are skilled, diligent, and have the financial resources necessary to build a defense. Whether you are being investigated or have been charged with a white-collar crime, you should have a Grand Rapids criminal defense lawyer from Blanchard Law on your side — call us now for a free case review.