Chicago Criminal Lawyer Blog
White collar crimes are those that are financially motivated and nonviolent. The term “white collar” refers to the group of individuals who often committing this sort of illegal activity- government officials or business professionals. Crimes of this nature typically involve embezzlement, forgery, or other means of theft by deception. The tools of the white collar criminal are lies and deceit.
One of the most famous cases regarding white collar crime involved Bernard “Bernie” Madoff. The Department of Justice has disbursed nearly $2 billion back to investors who lost money in his Ponzi scheme.
However, the difference between a mistake and a lie is not clear. When a business transaction goes awry, agencies of law enforcement often misconstrue honest intentions for malicious intent. Far too frequently, innocent people are prosecuted and arrested for white collar crimes based on ambiguous evidence.
A skilled white collar criminal defense lawyer in Chicago can provide legal help even before an
indictment or arrest. By acting quickly, you increase the chances of achieving the most favorable plea bargain or having the charges dropped entirely.
The Investigation of White Collar Crime in Chicago
Typically, when a witness or victim reports a violent crime, police act quickly and understandably so. In contrast, authorities commonly spend months or years in the investigation of white collar crime accusations.
Though there are several myths about white collar crime, the fact is that an individual can do serious time if convicted. Crimes of this nature can include:
- Identity theft
- Insurance fraud
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Tax fraud
- Fraudulent bankruptcy
- Intellectual property theft
- Bribery
- Credit card fraud
- Forgery
- Money laundering
- And many other crimes
Crimes like the ones above may involve various state and federal law enforcement agencies. The SEC, local police departments, and the FBI may conduct their own investigations. A variety of techniques may be used including issuing subpoenas for financial and banking documents, interviewing witnesses, and delivering compelling grand jury testimony.
If you are under investigation, a white collar criminal defense lawyer in Chicago will state anything you do or say may be used as evidence against you in court. Defendants who are innocent often believe they have nothing to hide. They make the detrimental error of speaking to investigators.
It is important to know that prosecutor’s, agents of law enforcement, and investigators frequently ask questions that are designed to confuse defendants and evoke statements that are incriminating. You should never participate in an interview unless you are in the presence of an experienced criminal defense attorney who will ensure your rights are protected.
White Collar Criminal Defense in Chicago
At the law firm of David Freidberg, we feel early intervention by an experienced defense attorney is key to the successful defense of white collar crimes. Ideally, we will get involved prior to the filing of formal charges. By doing so, often we can find witnesses who will testify in your favor in an effort to dissuade prosecutors from moving forward with their charges.
For the most part, police are interested in constructing a case against their suspect. Their primary concern is not gathering evidence to exonerate him or her. This is why an investigative team working on your behalf is so vital. Attorney Friedberg and his investigators will go to work immediately to collect crucial evidence that will help you prevail over the charges leveled against you
If you or a loved one has been charged with a white collar crime, our firm invites you to contact us. We are available 24 hours a day.
Call us today at (312) 560-7100 or schedule your free consultation so we can help possibly get your charges reduced or dismissed altogether.
