In white-collar crimes, perpetrators are prompted to engage in illegal but nonviolent acts for monetary gain. White-collar crimes are typically committed by persons of high social status, moral ascendancy, and respectability. While no one gets physically hurt in these crimes, the laws in the State of Texas still impose a harsh penalty for offenders. When you are charged with this crime, it is highly recommended that you seek the help of a Houston white collar crime attorney.
A common characteristic of white-collar crimes is that they involve fraud and deception, causing financial damage to another. Most of these crimes are classified as federal offenses and are handled by the federal court. Accordingly, one needs to retain the services of a Houston criminal lawyer who is experienced in defending white collar crime charges.
The common white-collar crimes include the following:
Bank Fraud: This involves series of acts designed to defraud the bank or financial institution of funds, assets, or other properties. It also includes acts of obtaining money or property from depositors by fraudulently representing oneself as working for a bank or financial institution.
Bribery: This is the act of offering, giving, soliciting, or receiving any item of value to influence the action or decision of the recipient who is an official charged with a public or legal duty.
Computer Hacking or Fraud: This act constitutes stealing information stored in computers and other similar electronic databases. In the U.S., the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act defines and prescribes the penalty for this offense.
Counterfeiting: This act involves imitating the products of another and passing them off as one’s own goods. While the term is commonly associated with money, counterfeiting is also used in relation to fake designer clothing, watches, handbags, and other similar products.
Credit Card Fraud: Credit card fraud charges typically include theft, fraud, and other similar schemes with the unauthorized use of a credit card; the purpose of which is to obtain funds or goods of value.
Embezzlement: When one withholds money or property and appropriates to his or her own use or benefit, the crime of embezzlement is committed. This financially motivated fraud usually involves an abuse of trust and confidence.
Extortion: This offense occurs when one parts money or property under the threat of force, fear of violence, or under official cover, extortion is committed. Coercion is an essential element in extortion.
Insider Trading: This crime is associated with stock or securities trading where a person takes undue advantage of information regarding a company or its stocks, which are not readily available to the public.
Money Laundering: This offense involves concealing the illicit origin of funds.
Tax Evasion: This offense embraces acts aimed at reducing the tax to be paid by resorting to means not permitted by the law. Tax evasion includes fraudulent tax reporting or declaring less income or profits than that actually earned or overstating the allowable deductions.
Defending against Allegations of White-Collar Crime
With the devastating effects of white-collar crimes to society, the public has changed its perception toward people charged with this offense. The courts have also been handing harsher punishment as an example to others. This is also a statement that the law is not sympathetic to these perpetrators.
But for the wrongfully accused, charges of white-collar crimes can have long-lasting affects on your life. If you are under investigation or in any other way questioned regarding your business practices, it is important that you secure the services of a Houston white collar crime attorney to help you build a strong and dignified defense against charges of white-collar crimes.
Protect your honor, and don’t let this mortifying experience taint your reputation, your family, and your future. Contact the Houston white collar crime attorneys at Ricardo N. Gonzalez & Associates today. Our attorneys will aggressively and proactively defend your rights.
