Athens White Collar Crimes Lawyer

If you are accused of white collar crimes in Athens, Georgia, you need an experienced legal team who both understands the court system and knows how to handle the nuances of these unique cases. Perhaps you are facing charges of money laundering in Adams, or you might have been charged with fraud in Westwood Hills. In either case, you need to hire an Athens white collar crimes lawyer who can fight to assert your rights.

Protect Your Future With the Law Offices of Adam M. Cain, LLC

Since our firm was established in 2013, the Law Offices of Adam M. Cain, LLC, has been fighting for the rights of those facing a wide range of criminal charges. White collar crimes are complicated, as these usually do not involve any use of force or violence, but they can still lead to harsh consequences. To defend against charges of this nature, turn to our client-focused approach and trust our aggressive advocacy to safeguard your future against a successful conviction.

Defining White Collar Crimes in Athens, GA

White collar crime laws address many illegal activities, but all are grounded in some kind of deception or misinformation used for personal financial gain. These are not simple crimes, as they often involve intricate schemes and obvious paper trails. For these reasons, having an experienced attorney on your side is vital. The most common white collar crimes seen in Georgia include the following:

• Fraud. A wide range of offenses can be defined as fraud. The most common are mail fraud, bank fraud, credit card fraud, wire fraud, and mortgage loan fraud. Nearly one in three Americans is victimized by fraud schemes every year.
• Embezzlement. A person misappropriates property or funds that have been entrusted to them by an individual or entity, such as a charity organization, business, or school. It involves a distinct breach of trust, and the penalties one can face if convicted will ultimately depend on the amount of money involved in the crime.
• Identity fraud. An individual willfully and fraudulently uses the identifying information of another person without the victim’s consent for their own financial gain.
• Money laundering. This extremely serious offense occurs when the origin of illegally obtained money is concealed by a series of complicated financial transactions, which can make it seem legitimate. Being convicted of money laundering could result in decades of prison time and millions of dollars in legal fines.
• Tax evasion. If you intentionally and knowingly work to defraud either the state or federal government by claiming false information or knowingly omitting information on your tax return, you may be charged with tax evasion and could face federal prison.
• Securities fraud. This crime can also be referred to as insider trading. It occurs when information is provided about certain securities and their values. This provides an unfair advantage to an individual who is buying or selling those securities. 93.3% of individuals convicted of this crime are men.

Defending Against White Collar Crime Charges

Many avenues of defense can be taken in white collar crime cases. These strategies include:

• Challenging intent. Intent is one of the most important parts of a white collar crime. If the prosecution cannot prove that you engaged in an illegal act and had the intent to take part in the act, then your case may be dismissed.
• Lack of knowledge. Similar to challenging intent, you may not have even known that you engaged in a crime. A software error, miscommunication, or general confusion could lead to an inadvertent offense. If your attorney can prove this, they can establish that you did not know enough about the event to have intentionally committed an offense.
• Entrapment. This defense can be used if the government has coerced, induced, or persuaded you into committing a white collar crime that you wouldn’t have otherwise committed.
• Intoxication. If you were involuntarily intoxicated by either alcohol or drugs while the crime was committed, you could raise a defense based on intoxication. 

FAQs

Q: What Are the Most Common Penalties for White Collar Crimes?

A: An individual might face several penalties if they are successfully convicted of a white collar crime. These include:

• Decades of prison time
• Large fines
• Restitution payments to victims
• Forfeiture of assets
• Probation
• Community service

You might also lose certain professional licenses or certifications, and your reputation might be permanently damaged.

Q: Can I Appeal a White Collar Crime Conviction?

A: Yes, you could appeal a white collar crime conviction under certain circumstances. However, to do so, it is vital that you hire an Athens white collar crimes attorney. They can present your argument and advocate for a more beneficial result. Your attorney can make sure your appeal case is handled with the attention to detail and due diligence it deserves. 

Q: Will My Crime Be Charged at the State or Federal Level?

A: Some white collar crimes could be charged at either the state or federal levels. While federal arrests did decrease by about 3% in 2023, most of these crimes are still prosecuted federally. Many factors could lead to federal jurisdiction over a white collar crime case, including:

• Wire transfers that cross state lines
• Tax violations
• FDIC-insured bank involvement
• Interstate business operations

Q: How Long Does It Take to Resolve a White Collar Crime Charge?

A: How long it might take to resolve a white collar crime charge in Athens will vary. Several factors can influence the overall timeline of a given case. These include:

• The complexity of the charge
• How skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced your legal representation is
• The quality of evidence
• The availability of the courts

Hire a White Collar Crimes Lawyer Today

In a white collar crime case, your livelihood, reputation, and freedom are at stake. Now is not the time to leave them up to chance. Instead, hire a white collar crimes lawyer from the Law Offices of Adam M. Cain, LLC, to learn about all your legal defense options. We can offer you clear answers, guidance, and the defense strategy you deserve. Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation.