White Collar Crimes
The state of Florida is very serious when it comes to white collar crimes. Penalties for any white-collar crime conviction can include expensive conviction fines, criminal forfeiture, restitution, and imprisonment. Unfortunately, your freedom isn’t the only thing at stake. Aside from debilitating fines, you can potentially face additional collateral consequences such as difficulty obtaining employment or the inability to maintain or retain a professional license(s).
Facing consequences for white collar crimes can be extremely stressful so it is important to obtain experienced legal counsel immediately if you’ve been charged. Allow Florida criminal defense attorney at The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. to utilize his valuable best practices for your defense. He can help you avoid those potentially life-changing criminal penalties.
Brooksville White Collar Crimes Attorney | Hernando County, Florida
A cyberstalking offense on your record could be damaging to your future. If you have been charged with a white-collar crime in Florida, it’s important you hire a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Ashley Aulls at The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. is a knowledgeable white collar crime lawyer who has practiced law since 1996. He will make every effort to fight the allegations against you in order to achieve reduced or even dismissed charges.
It’s important to act quickly and contact The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. today. To find out more about what The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. can do for your white-collar crime case, schedule a consultation by calling (352) 593-4115. Criminal defense attorney Ashely Aulls serves clients in communities throughout Hernando County, Citrus County, Sumter County, and Pasco County, Florida.
Information Center
- What is a White-Collar Crime?
- Penalties for White Collar Crimes in Florida
- Aggravated White Collar Crimes in Florida
- Additional Resources for White Collar Crimes
What is a White-Collar Crime?
White-collar crimes refer to non-violent offenses committed by individuals, businesses, and government professionals who are in a position of trust for financial gain. White-collar crime encompasses a wide range of offenses, including the following:
- Embezzlement occurs when a person utilizes assets/funds for a different purpose than they were intended to be used. A common example of this is when an employee endorses client checks, cashes them, and keeps the money.
- Money laundering occurs when a person generates a large amount of money through criminal activity such as drug trafficking and attempts to conceal it through a series of bank transactions. It also refers to the process of making “dirty” money clean.
- Mortgage fraud refers to the act of lying, intentional misstatement, or omitting information that is used by an underwriter or lender to insure a mortgage loan.
- Bribery occurs when a public official accepts a gift, cash, or other favor from someone in return for a beneficial treatment or to avoid criminal prosecution.
- Identity theft occurs when a person steals another individual’s identity or identifying information in order to gain some type of benefit for themselves or someone else. Information that is commonly stolen in identity theft cases include name, social security number, or credit card.
Additional types of white-collar crimes include:
- Bank fraud
- Credit card fraud
- Insurance fraud
- Medicare and Medicaid fraud
- Bad Checks
- Tax fraud
- Unfair trade practices
- Ponzi schemes
- False claims
- Securities fraud
- Corporate fraud
Penalties for White Collar Crimes in Florida
A conviction for any white-collar crime can result in severe penalties including steep fines and imprisonment. Under Florida law, penalties for all white-collar crimes can be found in the White-Collar Crime Victim Protection Act (Florida Statute § 775.0844). According to the act, white collar crimes in Florida can be classified as misdemeanors or felonies depending on the nature of the offense and the amount of money involved.
The classification and penalties for white-collar crimes in the State of Florida include:
- Second-degree misdemeanor: Up to $500 in fines and up to 60 days in prison
- First-degree misdemeanor: Up to $1,000 in fines and up to 1 year in prison
- Third-degree felony: Up to $500 in fines and up to 5 years in prison
- Second-degree felony: Up to $10,000 in fines and up to 15 years in prison
- First-degree felony: Up to $10,000 in fines and up to 30 years in prison
Aggravated White Collar Crimes in Florida
Under Florida Statute §775.0844(4), anyone who engages in at least two white collar crimes that have the same or similar intents, results, accomplices, victims, or methods of commission, can be charged with “aggravated white collar crime.” The law also states the individual can be charged with the offense if he or she:
- Victimizes at least ten or more elderly individuals
- Victimizes at least twenty or more individuals
- Victimizes the State of Florida, any agency of the State, or any of its political subdivisions or agencies of those subdivisions
- Attempts to obtain $50,000 or more during the commission of the crime
If a person commits an aggravated white collar criminal offense, it constitutes as a first-degree felony which is punishable by 30 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines. If you are facing charges for any white-collar crime, you need an aggressive advocate on your side to advocate aggressively on your behalf. Contact The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. today.
Additional Resources for White Collar Crimes
FBI: White Collar Crime – Access the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) website to read about white collar crimes. The page lists information regarding different types of white-collar crimes such as corporate fraud, falsification of financial information, health care fraud, and mortgage fraud.
Florida Statutes: White Collar Crime – Access the official website for the Florida Statutes to read the White-Collar Crime Victim Protection Act. The act lists chapters for white collar crimes and definitions related to the offenses.
Brooksville White Collar Crimes Defense Lawyer, FL
If you or a loved one has been charged with fraud, embezzlement, identity theft, or any other type of white-collar crime, it’s time to protect your reputation, rights, and future. The penalties for a white-collar crime conviction in the state of Florida are by no means light, so it’s important to take your charges seriously. During a difficult time like this, it’s within your best interest to secure the skilled legal representation of a qualified defense attorney,
Florida criminal defense attorney Ashley Aulls at The Law Office of Ashley Aulls, P.A. can build a strong and solid defense for your case. If you reside in Brooksville, North Weeki Wachee, High Point, Hernando Beach, Hill ‘n Dale, Inverness Highlands, Sugarmill Woods, Lecanto, Wildwood, Lake Panasoffkee, or Bushnell, Florida, there is no time to waste. Call (352) 593-4115 as soon as possible to schedule a consultation with Aulls and discuss all your legal options.