Lincoln White Collar Crimes Lawyer

When you are facing accusations of a white-collar crime, building a strong defense is crucial to obtaining a positive outcome in your case. As white-collar crimes are often complex and involve sophisticated financial transactions, the help of a criminal defense attorney may be invaluable. Working closely with a Lincoln white-collar crimes lawyer from Berry Law throughout any criminal proceedings can put you in a better position to contest the charges against you and fight for your freedom.

Since 1965, our team has been committed to aggressively defending the rights of individuals facing criminal charges concerning white-collar offenses. Our criminal defense attorneys have the skills and knowledge to take on even the most complex cases.

“The best way to support and defend the Constitution of the United States is through zealously defending the constitutional rights of each individual client.” -Attorney John Stevens Berry Sr.

What Is a White-Collar Crime?

Both federal and state laws establish various types of white-collar crimes. They are typically non-violent crimes aimed at obtaining personal financial gain. These kinds of actions may be small-scale operations involving only one person and a few hundred dollars or extremely complicated endeavors involving multiple people and potentially millions of dollars.

Although these crimes do not involve violence or physical harm to others, they can result in substantial financial losses for unwitting individuals, many of whom trusted the perpetrator with their money. As a result, the consequences of a white-collar criminal conviction can be harsh, particularly when charged federally as opposed to being charged at the state level. For this reason, it may be helpful to consult a white-collar crimes attorney in Lincoln before attempting to make any decisions about how to proceed in your case.

History of Fighting in the Courtroom and Beyond

When you are determining what legal team you want to represent you in your white-collar criminal case, it is essential that you hire someone you believe will work tirelessly to defend your rights. Our lawyers have a number of qualifications to offer clients-we have decades of experience, thousands of cases under our belts, and we have defended hundreds of clients in jury trials. We have also represented many individuals from across the country, as well as countless military personnel.

Common Types of White-Collar Offenses in Lincoln

The term “white-collar crime” covers a broad range of offenses, many of which involve educated professionals entrusted with the money of others. Accountants, financial advisors, controllers, auditors, and people in various business industries could be involved in actions that constitute white-collar crimes.

The punishment for a fraud crime is typically based on the dollar amount involved. As such, it is essential to work with a team that understands the complexities of accounting principles and how these complexities can cause miscalculations.

Our team has extensive experience with white-collar crimes, and we are prepared to vigorously defend our clients and their bookkeeping and accounting methods. We even work closely with financial professionals in order to provide our clients with a strong chance at obtaining a favorable outcome.

Our team handles a variety of white-collar crime cases, including those pertaining to:

• Credit card fraud
• Embezzlement
• Insurance fraud
• Internet crimes
• RICO violations
• Tax fraud
• Wire fraud
• Computer Crimes

Federal Offenses

Typically, white-collar crimes involving the banking, healthcare, and mortgage industries fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government. Other federal crimes that include white-collar criminal activity are those that impact multiple jurisdictions or cross state lines.

For example, when individuals are accused of utilizing electronic communications systems or the U.S. mail system to transfer or illegally take control of the money that belongs to others, they will face charges in federal court. In cases such as these, you could face mail or wire fraud are charges in conjunction with other white-collar charges. Because there is so much to lose in white-collar criminal prosecutions, you should not hesitate to speak with a determined lawyer.

Who Investigates Financially Motivated Crimes?

The law enforcement agency that will investigate your case is determined by the nature of the charges. If you are facing state charges, state law enforcement will investigate the alleged crime. Federal agencies are responsible for investigating federal charges.

There are numerous federal agencies that could take on a white-collar criminal case, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). In some cases, representatives from the Attorney General’s office might spearhead the investigation.

Depending on the type of crime you were accused of, a specialized agency may also handle the investigation. For example, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigates crimes related to the stock market.

Who Prosecutes These Cases?

While there are multiple entities that can investigate federal crimes, only one has the power to pursue prosecution. Every district in the United States has a U.S. Attorney appointed by the president to pursue criminal charges. The U.S. Attorney and his or her deputies are charged with bringing all federal criminal prosecutions.

The District Attorney is responsible for prosecuting state charges. Regardless of the type of white-collar charges you are facing, an aggressive attorney from Berry Law can represent you through the investigation and prosecution.

What Are Common Defenses to White-Collar Crimes?

There are multiple defenses available depending on the specific white-collar crime you have been accused of. One thing that ties all financially motivated, non-violent crimes together is intent. A white-collar crime involves an intentional act of fraud or theft.

In other words, the court cannot convict you if you made an honest mistake. If the prosecutor cannot show you intended to commit a criminal act, the jury should acquit you of any white-collar criminal charges.

The lack of evidence is another common defense in these cases. The prosecution has the burden of proving your guilt. If their case is weak, an experienced white-collar lawyer should point to the lack of evidence as opposed to building an alternate theory.

Is it Necessary to Hire an Attorney?

Given the stakes, it is ill-advised to take on a white-collar criminal case without the guidance of an experienced attorney. In some cases, a conviction could result in decades behind bars and fines worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Acting without an attorney will only increase the chances of a conviction.

A lawyer can prove to be useful even before criminal charges are ever filed. With some white-collar crimes, the state or federal government begins the investigation prior to filing charges. During this phase, an attorney might be able to provide documentation that answers their questions and avoids a criminal prosecution entirely.

When this is not possible, an attorney could provide the strongest defense available at trial. White-collar criminal trials are complex and frequently rely heavily on complex statutes and extensive financial documents. A lawyer from Berry Law could ensure that no stone goes unturned when building a defense to your criminal allegations.

Seeking the Help of a Lincoln White-Collar Criminal Attorney

Although white-collar crimes may not result in physical injuries to others, they can result in severe financial losses for all parties involved. As a result, the potential penalties associated with these crimes can be significant.

Rather than attempting to defend yourself on your own, take the time to talk to an experienced Lincoln white-collar crimes lawyer. Having this conversation may be the most effective means of protecting yourself against the charges that you are facing and defending your constitutional rights.

By taking a proactive and aggressive approach, we are able to come up with ways to help our clients have their cases dismissed, their charges reduced, or their penalties minimized. Our attorneys recognize that the individuals we work with are going through an overwhelming and stressful time in their lives, and we strive to provide them with the most effective defense strategy available.

With assistance from a hard-working attorney from Berry Law, you may become aware of all your options and make the decisions that are best for you and your family. To schedule a confidential consultation, call our team today.