Los Angeles White Collar Crime Lawyer

White Collar Crimes Attorney in Los Angeles, CA

The term “white-collar crime” is generally used to refer to criminal activity that is financial in nature and typically undertaken in business and other professional settings. Most white-collar crime is nonviolent, but this does not mean it is not damaging. White-collar criminal offenses cost individuals and businesses in the state billions each year, and victims often face very difficult roads to recovery.

It’s also possible for a business owner to face tremendous losses due to the actions of unscrupulous employees. Unfortunately, some people are caught in white-collar criminal activity without realizing it, unwittingly abetting their superiors’ fraudulent and unethical actions until they are faced with criminal prosecution.

Criminal Defense Representation for Los Angeles White-Collar Criminal Cases

If you have broken state business law for the purposes of illegal self-enrichment, it is very likely that you will be charged with one or more white-collar criminal offenses once your activities are discovered. It is also possible to be suddenly confronted with an arrest for a crime you did not commit, and you may feel as though the entire criminal justice system is unfairly poised against you in this situation.

Gibbons & Gibbons has a team of experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys who have successfully represented many past clients in a wide range of criminal cases, including those that fall within the purview of white-collar crime.

Our team knows how to approach criminal cases involving complex financial issues, complicated questions surrounding technology, tracking digital transactions, and assessing state and federal business laws on a case-by-case basis. Whatever your situation entails, we can provide the criminal defense representation you need to have some peace of mind as your case begins to unfold.

Examples of White-Collar Crime

Many people carry misconceptions about what constitutes a white-collar crime. The team at Gibbons & Gibbons has successfully represented clients in various types of white-collar criminal cases, some of which involve multiple offenses, multiple defendants, and substantial amounts of stolen and ill-gotten profits. Some examples of the types of offenses that meet the definition of white-collar crime include:

• Embezzlement, or stealing business assets for personal use. This type of activity can take many forms, from outright theft and spoofing transactions to misuse of company expense accounts and fraudulent financial reporting.
• Securities fraud. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforces many strict laws that all employees of publicly traded companies must follow. Securities fraud takes many forms but often involves insider trading and other attempts to unethically profit from insider information regarding stock.
• Corporate fraud. American businesses are required to meet various regulatory standards. Corporate fraud occurs whenever a business owner or a group of a company’s leaders knowingly make fraudulent and unethical decisions for self-enrichment. Many corporate fraud cases essentially amount to large-scale theft conducted at the highest levels of a company, often over extended periods of time.
• Price fixing, bid rigging, and other fraudulent abuses of the competitive market. It is illegal for business opponents to attempt to “rig” shares of their market or engage in any unethical practices aimed at enhancing profits at the expense of consumer choice. Similarly, service providers can not privately arrange bids to dilute competition in their local markets.
• Money laundering. This term refers to any legitimate business that accepts cash profits from criminal operations to “wash” the cash, disguising it as legitimate business profits. Business owners caught money laundering often face severe repercussions for their involvement in these criminal operations, and these cases can sometimes invoke charges pertaining to criminal conspiracy.

These are only a few examples of the types of white-collar offenses that generate complex criminal cases in Los Angeles. Many white-collar crimes are discovered after fraudulent financial activity has persisted for a long time, and victims may be owed substantial compensation for the losses inflicted by the defendant’s actions.

If you are charged with any white-collar criminal offense, you can expect to face a wide range of penalties if you are convicted. At a minimum, you will owe restitution to any victims of your actions, and you and/or your business could face fines at the state and/or federal level. White-collar criminal cases are often extraordinarily complex, and if you believe you are facing unjust penalties or did not commit the offense in question, it’s vital to have a defense attorney you can trust advising you.

How Our Los Angeles White Collar Crime Defense Lawyers Can Help

It is essential to know and understand your constitutional rights when you are charged with a criminal offense of any kind in Los Angeles. You have the right to remain silent once you are placed under arrest, and you should exercise this right until you are able to speak with a criminal defense attorney you can trust.

Your criminal defense team will be an invaluable resource as you determine your best defensive options. For example, avoiding conviction in your case may require proving you were either coerced into participating in a white-collar criminal operation against your will and/or you were unaware of the true nature of your activities. Unfortunately, many people who knowingly engage in white-collar crimes will do so in ways that paint their subordinates as responsible.

If you did commit the offense in question, your situation is not hopeless. The right attorney can potentially help you secure a plea deal with the prosecution. In exchange for the court’s conserving resources, thanks to your immediate guilty plea, the prosecution may offer to reduce your penalties and/or lower or drop charges. Your Los Angeles white-collar crimes defense attorney will advise you as to whether accepting a plea deal would be the best strategy in your unique situation.

The team at Gibbons & Gibbons is confident in our ability to efficiently handle a wide range of complex criminal cases, including those that involve difficult financial issues and widespread criminal operations.

Whatever your case may entail, our firm is prepared to provide the guidance and support you need through all stages of your proceedings. If you’re ready to discuss your case with a Los Angeles white-collar criminal defense attorney you can trust, contact Gibbons & Gibbons today to schedule your consultation with our team.