Decatur, Illinois White Collar Crimes Lawyer
“White collar crime” is a term of art that has long been used by law enforcement to describe criminal offenses that do not involve the use of violence, but rather some form of fraud or deceit. But just because an accused white-collar criminal did not use a gun, that does not mean the law will go easy on them. On the contrary, federal and state prosecutors are often more aggressive when pursuing white-collar cases and seeking lengthy jail terms–and ruinous economic fines–for the defendants.
So if you have been caught up in a white-collar criminal investigation, you need to prepare for an extensive legal battle to preserve your freedom and your property. An experienced Decatur, Illinois white collar crimes lawyer can provide you with valuable guidance, legal advice, and representation. At Patel Law, PC, our team has handled hundreds of criminal cases from arraignment and pretrial discovery through plea negotiations and a jury trial. While no attorney can guarantee an acquittal, we will make every effort to secure a favorable resolution of the charges against you.
Prosecuting Fraud as a Felony
Most white-collar crimes involve some form of fraud–i.e., obtaining money, property, or services from another party through the use of false statements, deception, or deceit. Some of the most common white-collar crimes prosecuted in Illinois include:
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Corporate and Securities Fraud – Prosecutors often target companies suspected of false accounting or engaging in schemes to undermine regulatory oversight. Corporate officers may also be targeted with “insider trading” charges if they are believed to be misusing non-public information about their companies for personal financial gain.
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Money Laundering – Even if a business is legal, its sources of funding might not be. Money laundering broadly refers to the use of financial institutions and financial schemes to conceal the profits of criminal activity by “laundering” it into “clean” money using legitimate businesses as fronts.
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Mortgage Fraud – A person who lies on a mortgage application to obtain a loan–or even more favorable terms than they might have otherwise received from a lender–can be charged with mortgage fraud. The government also frequently prosecutes real estate industry professionals accused of stealing cash or equity from lenders or homeowners.
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Tax Fraud – Falling behind on your taxes or making a mistake on your 1040 is not a crime. But if the IRS believes you are willfully avoiding a tax obligation, you could be charged with criminal tax evasion or tax fraud.
Contact Patel Law Today
When it comes to the law, white-collar crimes are often treated more severely than certain types of violent crimes. Indeed, the more money that is involved in an alleged white-collar crime, the more aggressive prosecutors tend to be in seeking jail time for defendants. That is why you cannot simply dismiss a white-collar criminal charge as something akin to a traffic ticket or a shoplifting charge. These are serious allegations with potentially life-altering consequences for you and your family.
So if you need legal advice or assistance from a skilled Decatur, Illinois white collar crimes attorney, contact Patel Law, PC, today to schedule a free case evaluation.
