Navigating criminal charges for a white collar crime in Los Angeles, CA, is a frightening experience that can have lasting consequences on your life. When facing such charges, it’s vital to have a trusted Los Angeles white collar defense attorney on your side.
These legal professionals specialize in this complex area of law; we can build strong defenses by challenging the evidence and also ensuring that your rights remain at the forefront during each phase of the legal process.
For help with a white collar crime charge in Los Angeles, California, contact The Law Office of Ryan Peabody at (310) 709-2000 today to schedule a free consultation.
How the Law Office of Ryan Peabody Can Help if You’re Arrested for a White Collar Crime in Los Angeles
Dealing with an arrest in Los Angeles can be one of the most stressful experiences of your life. In such scenarios, immediate and expert legal advice is crucial. Our Los Angeles criminal defense attorneys have over a decade of experience and was previously public defenders – that means they understand how the system works as well as anyone.
Here’s how the Law Office of Ryan Peabody can assist if you find yourself under arrest:
Bail Hearing
As soon as you’re arrested, our attorney will advocate for you during a bail hearing to try to get you released while the trial is pending.
Investigate
We will conduct a thorough independent investigation of your case, gathering crucial evidence, speaking to witnesses, and scrutinizing police reports so we can build the strongest possible defense for you.
Negotiate with Prosecutor
Our team will leverage our expert negotiating skills in discussions with the prosecutor. This could lead to reduced charges or even dismissal, depending on the circumstances of your case.
Represent You in Court
We advocate for you through every stage of the criminal proceedings. Having a legal expert by your side ensures you are fairly represented and that all possible defense strategies are brought forward.
Overview of White Collar Crimes in California
White collar crimes refer to a variety of non-violent criminal offenses – in comparison to crimes like assault and battery – usually undertaken for financial gains. These crimes are often carried out by individuals in business environments who exploit their professional positions or resources at hand.
Depending on the severity and the laws governing each offense, white collar crimes could be classified as either a felony or a misdemeanor. Felonies carry heavier penalties, including larger fines and longer prison sentences; misdemeanors often result in smaller fines and shorter jail sentences or probation when convicted.
If you are convicted, you will be required to pay restitution to those who suffer economic loss as a result of the offense, regardless of if it is a felony or misdemeanor.
Common White Collar Crimes
Some of the most common white collar crimes include:
Embezzlement
Embezzlement takes place when an individual who has been trusted with the handling of funds or assets in an organization misuses them for personal gain. For example, it could be a company’s employee transferring money into their own account without authorization.
Extortion
Extortion is a criminal act that involves obtaining money, property, or services from an individual through coercion. The essence of extortion is a threat made against the victim – this could range from threats to damage one’s reputation, inflict harm physically, or expose sensitive information.
Bribery
Bribery involves offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting something valuable with the intention to influence a person’s actions in their official capacity. It often happens within governmental and corporate environments where individuals attempt to influence decisions for personal gains. Notably, it doesn’t always have to involve monetary transactions – gifts and favors can also be classified as bribes.
Forgery
Forgery entails altering existing documents deceitfully or creating false documents with the intention of misleading someone else. It could range from forging signatures on a contract to creating counterfeit money. The key element of forgery is the intent to defraud another party.
Other common types of white collar crimes include corporate fraud, money laundering, bank fraud, healthcare fraud, identity theft, tax fraud, and welfare fraud.
What Are the Penalties for White Collar Crimes in Los Angeles, California?
The penalties for white collar crimes can be severe, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. Some of the most common penalties include jail time and significant fines. Examples of penalties for the crimes listed above include:
Embezzlement
In California, embezzlement is considered a serious offense and its classification as either petty theft or grand theft hinges largely on the value of the property stolen.
If the total value of misappropriated property is $950 or less, it’s treated as a misdemeanor. The penalties for this include up to one year in jail and/or fines up to $1,000.
Suppose you’re accused of embezzling an amount greater than $950. In that case, it becomes a wobbler offense – meaning it can be charged as a misdemeanor with the previously mentioned punishments or a felony, which brings along harsher consequences. These include imprisonment for up to three years and a fine reaching $10,000.
Increased Penalties for Larger Sums of Money
In cases involving large sums of money, the punishment becomes even more severe. An additional one-year sentence can be added if the amount exceeds $65,000; two years for amounts exceeding $200,000; three years for amounts beyond $1,300,000; and four years for amounts in excess of $3.2 million.
Extortion
In accordance with California law, extortion is treated as a serious felony offense. If convicted, you could face imprisonment for up to four years in either jail or prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
Bribery
Bribery cases, except for commercial bribery, are classified as felonies. Upon conviction, you face a potential sentence of up to four years in state prison.
You might also be sentenced to felony probation; where you could be ordered to do up to a year of jail as a term of probation. While less severe than imprisonment, is still significant, as you will have to follow strict rules and guidelines or else you face incarceration.
Common terms include regular check-ins with a probation officer and compliance with specific conditions like community service or mandatory educational programs.
Forgery
Forgery crimes in California are classified as wobbler offenses – meaning they can be charged either as a misdemeanor or a felony based on the specifics of the case and your criminal history.
If charged as a misdemeanor – which is only done in instances where the forged document is a check or money order worth $950 or less – penalties can include summary probation, up to one year in county jail, and/or a fine not exceeding $1,000.
If your forgery offense is charged as a felony, potential consequences become much steeper. You could be placed under formal probation, face up to three years of imprisonment in county jail, and/or be ordered to pay a maximum fine of $10,000.
What Defenses Can Be Raised if I’m Arrested for a White Collar Crime in L.A?
Legal defenses against white collar crime charges vary with the specifics of each case, but these are some common defenses that experienced attorneys raise:
No Corrupt Intent or No Intent To Defraud
This defense centers on challenging the intent element required for most white collar offenses. If it can be shown that you didn’t intend to deceive or harm, this could provide a valid defense.
Entrapment
Proving entrapment entails demonstrating government officials overstepped their bounds and used manipulative techniques to get you to commit a crime you otherwise would not have committed.
Falsely Accused
Being incorrectly identified can happen quite often in complex financial crimes where multiple people may be involved. An experienced attorney can raise doubt about your involvement by showing inconsistencies in the prosecution’s evidence or bringing forth strong alibi evidence.
When you work with a criminal defense lawyer, they will determine the best possible defenses based on the facts of your case.
Facing a white collar crime charge can be challenging, but having a qualified criminal defense lawyer by your side can make it much more manageable.
If you’ve been arrested in Los Angeles, California, we’re here to help you. Contact our law firm, The Law Office of Ryan Peabody, to schedule a free consultation today.
Visit Our Criminal Defense Law Firm in Los Angeles, CA
Law Office of Ryan Peabody
5757 W Century Blvd #722
Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States
(310) 709-2000
Our criminal defense law firm in Los Angeles, CA, also provides the following:
- Los Angeles Assault Defense Lawyers
- Los Angeles, CA Domestic Violence Lawyers
- Drug Crimes Attorneys in Los Angeles, CA
- Los Angeles Theft Crimes Attorneys
- Weapon Charges Lawyers in Los Angeles, CA
- Los Angeles Sex Crimes Attorneys
- Los Angeles, CA DUI Attorneys
- Homicide Lawyers in Los Angeles, CA
- Criminal Defense Lawyers in Los Angeles, CA
Local Resources in LA
Los Angeles Courts
- Stanley Mosk Courthouse
111 N Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States - Spring Street Courthouse
Los Angeles Superior Court – 312 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States - LA Superior Court
501 W 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Los Angeles Jails
- Men’s Central Jail
441 Bauchet St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States - Twin Towers Correctional Facility 450 Bauchet St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
- Los Angeles County Sheriff Men’s Central Jail 441 Bauchet St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
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