How a Lawyer Can Defend Against White-Collar Crimes in Florida

Were you accused of fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, or another white-collar crime? You need an ironclad defense strategy to protect your reputation and minimize the severe consequences of these crimes. So, how can a lawyer for white-collar crimes in Florida help you navigate these severe accusations?

Understanding How White-Collar Crime Cases Work in Florida

White-collar crimes range in severity and consequences but generally follow similar legal terms. In the majority of scenarios, the prosecutor must prove the defendant to be guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which requires an extremely high burden of evidence. Your legal team can often use this to your advantage, locating weak points in the prosecutor’s case. 

Steps Your White-Collar Defense Lawyer Can Take To Protect Your Rights

You must consult an attorney as soon as possible if you’ve been accused of illegal insider trading, entrapment, or tax evasion. A lawyer for white-collar crimes in Florida can help you build a strong defense strategy that protects your rights and limits your liability. You can expect your attorney to conduct the following steps:

1. The Initial Investigation

First, your attorney will carefully investigate the allegations to verify whether the prosecutor has a valid case. From interviewing witnesses to consulting tax advisors, your attorney will locate each potential weakness in the prosecutor’s case. For example, they might discover from a financial advisor a valid way to dispute many of the claims in court. 

2. The Defense Strategy

Your attorney knows the ins and outs of white-collar crimes, meaning they understand how to tailor a sound defense strategy to the particulars of your case. They can use your circumstances to your advantage, potentially highlighting the prosecutor’s lacking evidence. From challenging the investigation’s legality to claiming that you did not intend to commit the white-collar crime, your attorney can deploy many defense strategies to help you achieve a more favorable outcome. 

For example, if you’re accused of tax evasion, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt many items, including that you intentionally avoided paying taxes. As a defense, your attorney may be able to simply claim that you accidentally filed your taxes incorrectly, as the paperwork can be quite confusing. 

3. Case Negotiation

Not only do you want to minimize costs, charges, and penalties, but you likely want to keep the public eye off the situation. In some cases, your skilled white-collar defense attorney can negotiate with the prosecutor to settle outside of court. Whether negotiating lower charges or a plea deal, your lawyer for white-collar crimes in Florida can help you minimize the penalty in a way that protects your name moving forward.

4. Case Elevation and Protection

In other cases, negotiations may not be the right option for your case. A skilled defense attorney has the legal knowledge, evidence, and experience to fight for your rights in court. They can challenge potential violations, prevent illegal seizures or searches, ensure law enforcement adheres to procedural requirements, and help you seek lower penalties. 

Tips for Protecting Your Case From the Start

While your white-collar defense attorney plays a major role in protecting your rights, you also must take careful steps to avoid accidentally harming your case. We recommend the following tips:

• Consult an attorney immediately.
• Stay calm and obey law enforcement. 
• Do not speak to law enforcement officers until you’ve consulted your attorney.
• Keep all case details offline.
• Do not attempt to destroy any evidence relating to the case.

Speak With a White-Collar Defense Attorney Today

If you’re looking for an experienced lawyer for white-collar crimes in Florida, call Michael White, P.A., today at (954) 707-0850.