WHITE COLLAR CRIMINAL LAWYERS PITTSBURGH, PA
Information About White Collar Criminal Charges in Pennsylvania
There are a large number of crimes that are referred to as “white collar crimes”.
All of the so-called white collar crimes generally involve money or fraud. Whether the amount is fifty dollars, or thousands of dollars, a conviction can be devastating to your reputation and put your freedom and finances at risk.
If you have been charged with a white collar crime in Pennsylvania, you will need an experienced criminal attorney who is knowledgeable in both state and federal court procedure as many white collar crimes are punishable in both.
You need an aggressive criminal attorney who can put together smart defensive strategies designed to protect your rights and win your case. Through our extensive experience at Ketchel Law, we will develop a strong strategy in order to contest your case and/or reduce the fines and penalties.
Attorney Justin J. Ketchel provides free consultations and can explain your rights and next steps for protecting your rights.
The criminal justice system must presume you are innocent of all charges unless a judge or jury finds you guilty. At Ketchel Law, our greatest strength lies in critically analyzing and dissecting the details of your case looking for inherent weaknesses and questioning the testimony of any experts or witnesses.
Remember, being charged with a crime, does not mean that you will be convicted. It is extremely important that you are represented properly throughout the duration of your case.
Do not leave your rights and your freedom to chance. Hire an attorney who is willing to fight to protect you every step of the way.
DEFINITION OF WHITE COLLAR CRIME
A white collar crime is one that usually does not involve violence or weapons, but is more of an economic crime. One who commits a white collar crimes generally uses the concealment of fact or deception to create a financial or business gain.
Some of the most common white collar crimes include:
- Fraud
- Unlawfully obtaining money or property through deceitful or deceptive practices. (For example, tax fraud.)
- Tax Evasion
- Avoiding paying taxes is a federal crime.
- Antitrust Violations
- Health Care Fraud
- Theft
- The unlawful taking of money or property that are possessed by another.
- Embezzlement
- A person in a position of trust misappropriates funds they were responsible for keeping secure.
- Money Laundering
- The attempt to hide money obtained illegally by trying to give said money a legal purpose.
- Forgery
- Falsely signing documents, altering documents, or creating false documents meant for monetary or business gain.
- Passing Bad Checks
- Writing a check that you know has insufficient funds.
- Bribery
- Convincing an official, federal officer, or some other person in a position of power and influence to take money or an item of value in exchange for something benefitting you or your business.
- Insider Trading
- Trading on the stock exchange, or influencing the market, based upon confidentially obtained information.
- Racketeering
- Participation in a criminal organization that is punishable under the Racketeer Influence and Corrupt Organizations Act, or RICO for short. It usually involves a combination of multiple white collar offenses.
- Federal Sex Crimes—Online Sex Crimes
- Certain sex crimes may end up in federal court if they involve transferring pornographic images of children through the internet, cell phones or across state lines.
These monetary crimes are taken very seriously in Pennsylvania. Although these crimes usually do not involve the use of violence, the punishments can be equally as severe as violent crimes.
PUNISHMENT FOR WHITE COLLAR CRIMES IN PA
Punishment for white collar crimes can include jail time, fines, a crime on your permanent record and the payment of restitution.
The punishment for white collar crimes is determined by the value of the item taken, or the financial gain made by the accused. The higher the value, the higher the punishment.
In addition, many of these crimes, punishable under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, have federal counterparts. If your crime crossed state lines physically or electronically, involved a federal agency, such as the United States Postal Service (USPS), or occurred on federal property, you could be charged with a federal offense. If this is the case, you will need a federal crime attorney licensed to defend your case in not only Pennsylvania, but also federal court.
Punishments in Pennsylvania can range from a summary offense to a first-degree felony depending on the circumstances of your case.
- Summary offense:
- 0-90 days in jail
- Up to $300 in fines
- Third-degree Misdemeanor
- Up to 1 year in jail
- Up to $2,000 in fines
- Second-degree Misdemeanor
- Up to 2 years in jail
- Up to $5,000 in fines
- First-degree Misdemeanor
- Up to 5 years in jail
- Up to $10,000 in fines
- Third-degree Felony
- Up to 7 years in jail
- Up to $15,000 in fines
- Second-degree Felony
- Up to 10 years in jail
- Up to $20,000 in fines
- First-degree Felony
- Up to 20 years in jail
- Up to $25,000 in fines
DEFENSES TO WHITE COLLAR CRIMES
An attorney is invaluable in analyzing the evidence and having the ability to use it to provide you with a plausible defense should the charges not be dismissed. White collar crime cases often hinge on the accused’s intent to deceive another for personal gain.
Two possible defenses to white collar crimes include:
- Lack of Intent
- Lack of knowledge of deception
HOW KETCHEL LAW CAN HELP
You have guaranteed rights; we will make certain that your rights are protected. Justin J. Ketchel is a member of and certified by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers affording him cutting edge information which addresses the most current and relative issues in the criminal defense arena.
At Ketchel Law, our number one goal is to have your case dismissed.
A strong defense that pursues every angle can make the difference between a guilty and not guilty verdict—the difference between your freedom and being locked up.
Call 412-456-1221 for a free consultation.