San Diego White Collar Crimes Lawyer

Our team has successfully defended complex white-collar cases in San Diego. We'll analyze financial records and challenge evidence to protect your professional future.

San Diego White Collar Crimes Defense

Have you been accused of a white collar crime?  White collar crimes are traditionally non-violent and are committed within the professional sector.  The types of white collar crimes quite literally number in the thousands, but most commonly include charges such as:

• Bank Fraud
• Tax Evasion
• Credit Card Fraud
• Insurance Fraud
• Ponzi/Pyramid/Investment Schemes
• Embezzlement
• Insider Trading
• Computer Fraud, and more

Ultimately, all these criminal charges share one thing in common: they are all financial crimes.  This means that, at some level, white collar crimes are performed with the aim to gain money, but without the violence sometimes associated with crimes which would then be classified as assault, battery, or another violent crime.

What Makes White Collar Crime Unique?

White collar crimes at the federal level are unique from other California crimes for several reasons.  Most importantly, they are different because:

• White collar crimes are strictly financial in nature, and may be interchangeably referred to as ‘financial crimes’.
• White collar crimes are often federal crimes, subject to different rules and an entirely different process of procedure than crimes heard at the State level.
• As federal crimes, white collar crimes are subject to a sentencing and prison structure different than that of the State of California.

These differences mean it is imperative you retain a professional law office experienced in court at the federal level, with a background in successfully defending white collar and financial crimes for the people of the Southern District of California.  Don’t let the name fool you – white collar crimes may sound minor, but they can carry very serious penalties if convicted.

Potential Charges and Penalties for White Collar Crimes

While essentially financial in nature, white collar crimes have numerous associated charges.  In many cases the charges may be combined or stacked by the prosecution to build a larger case against you, increasing the potential punishment if convicted.  Common examples of white collar crimes and the potential penalties they carry are:

Computer Crimes

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) bolstered federal statute 18 U.S.C. 1030 to cover numerous crimes associated with computer use and access.  These crimes involve hacking, illegal downloading, spamming, and others.  Computer crimes may be only one aspect of a larger crime; oftentimes computer crimes are charged alongside other federal crimes.  The range of crimes varies greatly, as well as the range of penalties.

Financial Institution Fraud (FIF)

Commonly referred to as Bank Fraud, Financial Institution Fraud is the targeting of a bank or other financial institution to commit fraud.  This could include many crimes such as: identity theft, credit card fraud, use of counterfeit checks, submitting false information to a bank to obtain a loan or credit, embezzlement, and more.  Depending on the circumstances specific to your case and how well you present your defense strategy, you could face up to thirty (30) years in prison and be subject to a fine up to $1,000,000.

Insider Trading

Insider trading occurs when someone breaches the fiduciary trust by using private (confidential) information of publicly-held companies to influence their decision to buy, sell, or trade securities, stocks, shares, and bonds.  Typically, insider trading occurs at one of three levels:

1. Corporate insiders (usually upper-level management, but not always) who buy, sell, or trade their stock after learning confidential information.
2. Associates who have been tipped off (‘tippees’) by the corporate insiders who, after learning the information, buy, sell, or trade their stock as well.
3. Employees working in conjunction with the company (through perhaps a bank, printing house, or brokerage house) receive the information through their position and use it to buy, sell, or trade in the company.

Due to the numerous factors involved with insider trading cases, penalties and punishments can vary greatly but may include fines reaching $5,000,000 and up to twenty (20) years in federal prison.

Money Laundering

Money Laundering (under 18 U.S.C. § 1956, 1957) statutes prohibit the spending and concealment of illegal proceeds.  Penalties may be as severe as up to twenty (20) years in prison with fines of up to $500,000.

Tax Evasion

No one likes taxes, but willfully choosing not to pay them is a federal crime that carries significant penalties.  Federal statute 26 U.S.C. 7201 states that any person attempting to evade payment of their taxes (either through non-payment or under-payment) may face up to five (5) years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

RICO

RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) charges have become used far more frequently over the past few years.  RICO charges are extremely serious and carry very heavy penalties.  Under 18 U.S.C. § 1961, if the U.S. Attorney’s Office can connect more than one qualifying state or federal charge to a criminal enterprise, you may be charged under the RICO statutes.  Convictions carry up to twenty (20) years in prison and a host of financial and other penalties.

Defending Against Federal Charges

If you have been arrested or charged with a financial crime, and are charged with violating a federal statute, you need a law office experienced with both the federal court and federal law to defend against those charges.  Federal court may sound intimidating, but a winning legal strategy could mean a reduction of your charges, reduction of potential penalties, or even a possible case dismissal.  Do not gamble with your future.  You have too much to lose to haphazardly hire any law firm to represent you when facing federal charges.

At David P. Shapiro Criminal Defense Attorneys, we are standing by to answer your questions and fight on your side.  Contact us today at 619-295-3555 to schedule a consultation regarding your financial and/or federal crime charges.