White Collar Crimes

White Collar Crime Lawyers in Westwood

Defending Against White Collar Crimes in Norfolk County

Typically, a crime is a “white collar” crime if it is a non-violent offense, typically involving the theft or embezzlement of money, although the term is also used to include other types of non-violent crimes as well. They are usually more complex cases and involve records such as bank records or credit card records. They generally are the result of larger investigations (including grand jury investigations) and, that being the case, are treated very seriously by prosecutors and courts.

Types of White Collar Crimes

Common forms of white collar crime cases are:

Public Corruption
Larceny
Credit Card Fraud
Identity Fraud
Environmental Crimes
Gaming Offenses (Illegal Gambling)
Insurance Fraud
Unemployment Fraud
Computer Crimes
Larceny by Check
Offenses involving “public employees” (such as accepting a bribe or a gratuity)

Arrested for White Collar Crime in MA? Immediate Legal Steps to Take

If you have been arrested or charged with a white collar crime, it is important to contact a lawyer immediately. Typically, if you have been charged, that means an investigation has already been going on for some time, sometimes months or even years. Once you have been arrested, the prosecution’s case is well under way. You need to ensure that your lawyers are working on your case right away. It is important to locate witnesses, documents, or other evidence helpful to your case immediately.

Understanding the Massachusetts White Collar Crime Court Process

Unlike a typical criminal case, many different state agencies or the U.S. Attorney’s office can prosecute white collar cases. A typical criminal case will be charged in a district court. Then, depending on the charge, the case may be indicted and transferred to a superior court. Some white collar cases will take this route and you may receive a summons for an arraignment in a district court.

Unlike some other types of cases, however, white collar crime cases will often be “directly indicted.” That means, the case will not go to district court at all but, instead, will be indicted right into the superior court level. This occurs for a number of reasons. White collar cases will often be the result of longer investigations including the subpoena of documents and an involved grand jury investigation. Once a grand jury investigation is completed, there is no reason to apply for the charges at the district court level, and the charges can proceed directly to the superior court. Also, in some other types of cases, charges will be applied for in the district court even if the defendant will ultimately be indicted. This can be because it is a faster means of getting a defendant into court and off the streets where they may pose a danger. This is sometimes less of a concern in white collar crime cases and, therefore, the prosecutor’s office might be more likely to take their time and indict the case directly to the superior court level.

Once you are arraigned in the district court or superior court, the “discovery” process will begin. “Discovery” in a criminal case essentially is the process by which the parties exchange documents and other evidence that is relevant or intended to be used in a case. This is, typically, lengthier and more involved in a white collar case than in other criminal cases. This is because there will often be a significant amount of business records, witness statements, grand jury minutes, and other evidence that must be obtained and analyzed by your defense team.

There can be many different types of motions that may be filed in a white collar case including motions to suppress evidence, and motions to dismiss the case altogether. As in any criminal case, you have a right to a jury trial. There are many effective defenses that can be put forward in a white collar crime case that can result in a not guilty verdict.

We will fight for you! Request your consultation by dialing (617) 397-5755 or fill out our online form.

Penalties for White Collar Crimes in Massachusetts

White collar crimes can carry the potential for lengthy jail and prison sentences. Also, oftentimes, a defendant will be charged with numerous counts or indictments. In these cases, every count can carry a jail or prison sentence and the sentences can be “stacked” on top of each other (this is called an “on and after sentence”).

Key Agencies Investigating White Collar Crimes in Massachusetts

At the state level, white collar crimes are going to be investigated and prosecuted by either the Attorney General’s Office or a District Attorney’s Office. Typically, each District Attorney’s Office will have a specialized unit dedicated to prosecuting only white collar offenses. The Attorney General’s Office will usually handle larger-scale allegations of white collar crime. The Attorney General’s Office has specialized unit each dealing with matters such as public corruption, insurance fraud, unemployment fraud, environmental crimes, computer crimes, etc. Each of these individual units will have numerous prosecutors and investigators assigned to it to investigate and prosecute specifically these types of crimes.

Signs You May Be Under Investigation for White Collar Crime

You may never know that you are under investigation until you get notice of an arraignment in the mail, or the police show up at your door with an arrest warrant. However, sometimes, people will learn of an investigation in a number of different ways. The authorities may attempt to contact you to speak to you about the case, they may execute a search warrant at your home or work, they may interview your family, friends, or coworkers, and they may subpoena records or witnesses to a grand jury investigation. If you suspect that you are under investigation for a white collar crime, you should contact experienced lawyers right away.

If you are under investigation, you may be given a “target warning” by the authorities. Even if you are the one being investigated (the target of the investigation), the authorities may still try to speak to you and you can still be subpoenaed to the grand jury. In some situations, you will be given a target warning so, once you are charged or indicted, it makes it difficult for you to claim that you did not understand your rights and, therefore, your statements should not be used against you. If you are the target of an investigation, you should know that you do not have to speak to anyone.

Guidance if Contacted by White Collar Crime Investigators

If you are contacted by an investigator about allegations that you have committed a white collar crime, you should contact experienced attorneys immediately. Any information that you provide to investigators, even information that may seem minor unimportant to you, can be used as evidence to help them build the case against you.

Contact Our White Collar Crime Attorney in Westwood Today

White collar offenses should be handled differently from typical criminal cases. Often, there are effective motions that should be filed and argued in these types of cases including motions to dismiss. There are going to be large amounts of documents and witness statements that need to be analyzed. These types of crimes are complex, but can be defended against effectively with experienced lawyers. All of our attorneys have successfully handled white collar cases with both District Attorneys’ Offices and the Attorney General’s Office.

Eisenstadt Law handles a variety of white collar crime cases in MA. Schedule your free phone consultation with one of our lawyers by calling (617) 397-5755
or completing our online form.

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