Skilled Florida White Collar Crime Lawyer
Florida white collar crimes often come with a high price. You may face significant penalties, such as prolonged time in prison and substantial fines. These consequences are only a fraction of those you might face if you are convicted of a white collar crime in Florida. Convictions carry a broad stigma that can be hard to overcome for you and your family, friends, and loved ones. The reputational harm associated with a white collar crime conviction can disrupt your life. Because there is so much at stake, do not leave any of your defense up to chance. When facing these charges, the best course of action is to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Criminal defense attorneys at The Watson Firm, PLLC will defend you from serious charges that the state or federal government bring against you. We will do our best to ensure you are well defended and that your case gets resolved in the best manner possible. To learn more or schedule your initial case consultation, call (850) 607-2929 or visit our website today
Information Center
- Skilled Florida White Collar Crimes Representation
- White Collar Crimes Cases Handled By The Watson Firm, PLLC
- Racketeering Influenced And Corrupt Organization Act (RICO)
- Banking Fraud
- Mail Fraud
- Credit Card Fraud
- Real Estate And Mortgage Fraud
- Medicare/Medicaid Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Embezzlement
- Hiring A Florida White Collar Crimes Attorney
White collar crimes are generally those crimes that do not involve violence. These crimes often involve fraudulent activities in a corporate setting. While they may not involve violence, the penalties you can face for a white collar crime are no less severe. You may face heavy penalties such as fines or prison time if you are found guilty of a white collar crime. This page will discuss some of the typical white collar crimes in Florida, their penalties, and what you can do if you have been charged with a white collar crime in Florida.
White Collar Crimes Cases Handled By The Watson Firm, PLLC
- Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO);
- Banking Fraud;
- Mail Fraud;
- Credit Card Fraud;
- Real Estate Fraud;
- Healthcare Fraud;
- Medicare and Medicaid Fraud;
- Mortgage Fraud;
- Conspiracy to Commit Fraud;
- Money Laundering; and
- Embezzlement.
Racketeering Influenced And Corrupt Organization Act (RICO)
The Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) is a federal law passed in 1970 to help prosecutors fight organized crime. Racketeering is generally a common scheme or plan that involves members who engage in illegal activities affecting or relating to commerce. The law initially applied to organized crimes like gambling, prostitution, or money laundering but has recently been applied to other crimes like copyright infringement for human trafficking. Florida has also passed its own RICO legislation similar to the federal act. Under Florida's Rico act, you may face up to 30 years in Florida State prison. Under federal law, you could also be fined up to $250000 or double the amount of money obtained from the criminal activity. You may also face life in prison depending on the underlying crimes committed.
Banking Fraud
Bank fraud is knowingly executing or attempting to execute some kind of scheme to defraud a financial institution or obtain property owned or under the control of a financial institution through fraud. A typical example of banking fraud is forging a check. You may be charged at both the state and federal for banking fraud. At the state level, depending on the nature of your offense, you could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10000. There can be additional penalties if you have committed prior felonies. At the federal level, you face up to 30 years in prison, five years of probation, and a $5000 fine.
Mail Fraud
The Florida Communications Fraud Act criminalizes fraud using communication methods like mail. If you are found to have defrauded or intended to defraud using these communications methods, you could face up to 30 years in prison. At the federal level, you may be fined up to $1 million, imprisoned for 30 years, or both.
Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud occurs when you unlawfully obtain a credit card to buy goods or services, defrauding a seller. The penalties are determined by the value defrauded and the number of times the card was used within a six-month period. Depending on the facts of your case, you could face up to five years in prison, five years of probation, and a $5000 fine.
Real Estate And Mortgage Fraud
Florida law considers real estate and mortgage fraud as the "knowing misrepresentation of facts involved in selling or buying real estate or in engaging in the mortgage process." Depending on the amount defrauded, you could face prison sentences of up to 30 years and fines of up to $1 million.
Medicare/Medicaid Fraud
Medicare/Medicaid fraud often involves false information provided to obtain benefits or inaccurate billing practices by healthcare professionals. Whether a medical professional or a person applying for or using funds from these programs, you may face substantial prison terms and monetary fines at both the state and federal levels.
Money Laundering
Money laundering is engaging in a financial transaction using funds from an illicit activity or proceeds of the crime to purchase or engage in legal activities, causing the funds to be converted by the legal activity. The result is that the money is no longer "dirty." Instead, it is legitimate because it has been involved in a legitimate business transaction.
Under Florida law, you may be required to pay a fine of up to $250000 or twice the value of the transactions you engaged in, whichever is greater. If you commit another violation of the Florida money laundering act, your fine may be up to $500000 or four times the value of the transactions. Additionally, you may face up to 30 years in prison. At the federal level, you may face up to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $500000, or twice the value of the transaction.
Embezzlement
Embezzlement is taking another person's property or funds when they are in your care. One example of embezzlement is a banker taking the funds you have placed in the bank and taking them for their own. They would not otherwise have broken the law by having your funds because you put those funds in their care. However, they committed embezzlement once they took the funds and intended to deprive you of them. Florida embezzlement sentences can be as high as a first degree, carrying 30-year prison terms and fines of up to $10000 or both, depending on the property's value or cash stolen. Federal penalties can reach up to $500000 or even double the amount the victim lost, depending on the type of funds taken and the victim.
Hiring A Florida White Collar Crime Attorney
No matter the type of criminal charges, the criminal justice system can be daunting. When you are defending yourself against a white collar charge, it is essential to remember that you are innocent until proven guilty. Along the way, it can be challenging to ensure that your rights and interests are protected if you choose to go it alone. Experienced criminal defense lawyers at The Watson Firm, PLLC can help you mount the best defense to the case that state or federal prosecutors bring against you. We will ensure you are adequately represented. The Watson Firm, PLLC white collar crimes defense attorneys have extensive experience and are ready to fight for you. To learn more or schedule your initial case consultation, call 850-607-2929 or visit our website today.