At Okabe and Haushalter, we often encounter people charged with so-called “white collar crimes,” and in many cases, these individuals are simply everyday people who got desperate when they fell into dire financial straits. People from all walks of life, including blue collar workers, could end up being charged with committing a white-collar crime. If you need a white collar crime attorney, contact us to find out more about your legal options as a defendant.
White collar crimes are many and varied, and each one is covered by a different section of the California Penal Code. We are capable of handling any white collar crime case. Here are some examples of white collar crimes that our lawyers can help defend against in court:
If you are facing one of these or any other white collar criminal charges, we can represent you in court.
The criminal courts of California prosecute most white collar crimes in accordance with the amount of money that was at stake in the alleged criminal transaction. Many cases are, therefore, prosecuted as a form of theft, so the punishments if a conviction is reached are the same as the penalties for the type of theft that allegedly occurred. If a case is treated as petit theft (involving transactions of up to 950 dollars), it would most likely be prosecuted as a misdemeanor. However, for repeat offenders or for individuals whose crime involved funds amounting to 950 dollars or more, the charge would be treated as grand theft, which is classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony depending on certain factors involved in the alleged crime. Some white collar crimes could also be prosecuted as federal offenses if they violate U.S. laws as well as state laws. Our attorneys are qualified to defend against any of these charges.
If a cashier slips money from their till into their pocket, they could be charged with embezzlement. If the value of the embezzled funds was 200 dollars, the cashier will likely be charged with a misdemeanor, as the dollar amount dictates that the case be prosecuted as a petit theft case. Potential punishments for this crime under California Penal Code Section 484 include up to six months in a county jail and fines of up to 1,000 dollars.
If a person is charged with defrauding a financial institution out of 75,000 dollars via check fraud, their case will be prosecuted as a grand theft case (based on the dollar amount) and will be charged as a felony under California Penal Code Section 476. The punishment for this crime, if convicted, is up to five years in a state correctional facility and fines of up to 50,000 dollars.
If you have been charged with one of these crimes and reside in the Los Angeles area, talk to a white collar crime attorney in Venice at Okabe and Haushalter. We promise our clients nothing short of courtroom excellence when we defend them in court, and we are known for getting our clients real results. We can defend you against any charges, no matter how serious, including federal offenses. We can negotiate plea agreements if appropriate, which could result in reduced charges and minimized penalties if a conviction is reached. We offer no-cost case assessments, so call today for your free consultation.
