Huntington Station White Collar Crimes Lawyer

White Collar Crimes

Fifty years ago, prosecutors had a reputation for going easy on white collar defendants. Those days are long gone. Today, many prosecutors build their reputations exposing corruption and having business executives paraded in front of cameras in handcuffs. White collar crimes are some of the most common, and many unsuspecting individuals can find themselves facing charges.

Contact Karpf Criminal Law for help building a defense. We have defended countless people against all sorts of New York crimes, and our Huntington Station white collar crimes attorney is prepared to protect your freedom.

What Are White Collar Crimes?

These are usually non-violent crimes committed for financial gain. New York has dozens of white-collar crimes. A small sampling includes:

• New York lists controlled suBribery
• Credit card fraud
• Criminal tax fraud
• Embezzlement
• Enterprise corruption
• Falsifying business records
• Forgery
• Giving or receiving unlawful gratuities
• Insurance fraud
• Money laundering
• Perjury
• Petit larceny
• Schemes to defraud
• Theft of services

Each law has its own requirements, but most of them will require you to take some action with a criminal mental state. For example, it’s not a crime to submit a forged instrument to a bank. However, under New York Penal Law § 170.30 it is a crime if you use the instrument “knowing” it is forged and “with intent to deceive or defraud”.

If I’m convicted of a White Collar Crime, Will I Go to Prison?

Prison is a real possibility if convicted. Many white-collar crimes are felonies, which are the most serious crimes in New York. The District Attorney can request a stiff sentence to make an example of you.

New York divides felonies and misdemeanors into classes. Your sentence will also depend on your criminal history and other factors. You might receive probation instead of prison, depending on the crime. As your attorney, we do everything possible to keep you out of prison so you can be with your family and friends.

Other Penalties & Consequences

A prison sentence isn’t the only penalty. You can also face stiff fines and required restitution.

Any criminal conviction might jeopardize a professional license. You typically need to report even misdemeanor offenses to a licensing board, which could investigate and choose to suspend your license.

There is also a loss of reputation. If you are a business executive, even a minor white-collar crime could make it impossible to land your next position. This is one more reason to fight the charges and prove your innocence.al Law so we can dig in and look at the facts of your case. You should know what penalties you are facing before we begin designing a defense.

Steps to Take if You Are a Suspect

If you catch wind of an investigation, then you absolutely must call an experienced attorney. We recommend that you do the following:

• Refuse to answer police questions. You have no obligation to talk to them, and the police are allowed to lie to you.
• Don’t turn over devices! Police need a search warrant to go through your computer or cell phone unless you consent. Why make it easy on them? Make them get a warrant.
• Avoid shredding documents. This act could also qualify as a crime. You don’t need to hand the keys to your filing cabinets to the police, but you also can’t impair or destroy possible evidence.
• Don’t delete emails. Deleted emails never really go away. The police can recover them, and then they’ll hit you with a tampering with evidence charge.
• Reach out to an experienced white collar crime attorney. We will immediately review what you know and advise you of additional steps to take next. You have a right to a lawyer present for any police questioning.

Can We Beat White Collar Criminal Charges?

Yes.  Our job as your attorney is to get the most favorable result possible based on the facts. We might seek:

• Dismissal of charges
• Acquittal at trial
• Plea bargain for a reduced charge
• Probation

Often, proof of a financial crime isn’t as “open and shut” as the District Attorney claims. As mentioned, these crimes have a mental element—did you intend to defraud someone? Did you know a document was fraudulent? You might have accidentally put money in the wrong account. That’s not embezzlement—it’s a mistake.

When the police seize evidence without a search warrant or consent, we can ask a judge to throw it out. Many cases will collapse at that point.

The DA must prove you guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. That’s a high bar to clear, and we can often tell a story which sows doubt in the minds of any listener.

Speak with an Experienced White Collar Crime Lawyer

Karpf Criminal Law is proud to defend anyone in Huntington Station accused of a white-collar crime. Pick up the phone and call Karpf Law for the best defense in Huntington Station, (631)424-6444. We can fight to get drug charges dropped or negotiate for a plea which can minimize the penalties you face. We are available to meet to discuss your case in a confidential setting.