Dallas White Collar Crime Lawyers

Charged with a Financial Crime in Dallas County?

White collar crimes are serious criminal offenses that can have substantial consequences for individuals and businesses in Texas. If you are facing charges related to a white collar crime, it is important to have an experienced and skilled defense attorney who can help protect your rights and defend your interests.

At the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, our white collar crime lawyers in Dallas have the experience and the determination to help our clients assess their cases, plan a strategy, and fight for results.

Call the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain today at (214) 238-9392 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our white collar crime attorneys in Dallas. Se habla español.

What Is a White Collar Crime?

A white collar crime often refers to a non-violent offense perpetrated by individuals, generally in business or government positions, for financial gain or other personal benefits. 

This type of crime is committed by professionals who have access to sensitive information or authority over economic resources. Some examples of white-collar crimes include fraud, money laundering, embezzlement, insider trading, bribery, and other forms of financial misconduct.

In the state of Texas, the penalties for white-collar crimes may vary depending on the particular offense committed and the amount of money that was involved. In general, a defendant could be faced with civil penalties, such as fines or restitution, in addition to criminal penalties.

Examples of White Collar Crimes

The Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC helps clients fight against both federal and state prosecutors. Even an accusation can lead to hazards to your job, reputation, and freedom. Prosecutors work these cases aggressively, and so must your Dallas white collar crime attorney.

Our firm can help defend you against serious charges of:

• Fraud
• Bribery and corruption
• Conspiracy
• Embezzlement
• Money laundering
• Offshore banking
• Identify theft
• Insider trading
• Forgery
• Extortion
• Cyber crimes

White Collar Crime Penalties in Texas

In Texas, the penalties for white collar crimes vary depending on the nature of the offense and can lead to serious consequences:

• Bribery and Corruption: The punishment for bribery depends on the nature of the crime. If convicted, one could face a sentence ranging from 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
• Conspiracy: For a conviction of conspiracy to commit a felony, the punishment is typically one category lower than that of the most serious felony that was the object of the conspiracy. This could range from a state jail felony all the way up to a first-degree felony.
• Embezzlement: The severity of an embezzlement charge, and subsequently, the punishment, is determined by the value of the property embezzled. This can range from a Class C misdemeanor for property valued below $100 to a first-degree felony for property valued at $300,000 or more.
• Money Laundering: Money laundering in Texas is classified as either a state jail felony, a third-degree felony, a second-degree felony, or a first-degree felony, depending on the amount of money involved. The punishment can range from 180 days in a state jail and a fine of up to $10,000 to life in prison for laundering amounts of $300,000 or more.
• Offshore Banking: While not a crime in itself, offshore banking can be related to tax evasion or fraud charges. The penalties for tax evasion can range from a misdemeanor with a fine of not more than $500 up to a felony with a prison sentence of 2 to 10 years and a fine of up to $10,000. Fraud charges also carry severe penalties and vary based on the specific crime and amount involved.

Defenses for White Collar Crimes

White collar crimes have severe consequences, making presenting a robust defense strategy critical. At the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, we employ a variety of defense tactics based on the specifics of your case. 

Here are some potential defenses we may use:

• Insufficient Evidence: The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you committed the crime. If it cannot, your case may be dismissed entirely. We meticulously review the evidence to identify any weaknesses in the prosecution's case.
• Non-Intent: Many white collar crimes require proving intent, meaning that you knowingly and deliberately engaged in illegal activity. If we can create doubt about your intention to commit the crime, this could lead to the charges being dropped or reduced.
• Entrapment: This defense is applicable if a government agency induced you to commit a crime you would not ordinarily commit. We can argue that you were lured into committing the crime.
• Duress: We can use this as a potential defense if you were under a threat or unlawful pressure to commit the crime.
• Statute of Limitations: The case can be dismissed if the prosecution does not bring charges within a specific timeframe. We carefully review the timing of each case as part of our defense strategy.

The best defense depends on the specifics of your case and the evidence at hand. At the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC, we are committed to providing a personalized strategy tailored to your case. 

I Was Arrested – What Happens Next?

Once charges are filed, the legal process begins. The first step is usually an arraignment, where the charges against you will be formally read, and you will have the opportunity to enter a plea. It's crucial to have a legal representative present at this stage to advise on the best course of action.

Following the arraignment, the discovery process begins. During this phase, the defense and prosecution gather evidence related to the case. This may involve reviewing financial records, emails, or other documents that could shed light on the alleged crime.

If the case proceeds to trial, both sides will present their evidence to a judge or jury. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. The defense, meanwhile, will aim to create reasonable doubt about the defendant's guilt.

What You Should Know About White Collar Crimes

If you are facing any type of criminal charge in Texas, you need to have an experienced and aggressive defense attorney on your side. Whether you are facing state or federal charges, our firm can evaluate your case today and can begin discussing potential defense strategies to help you beat the charges. 

White Collar Crimes Are Extremely Serious

Although white collar crimes do not involve acts of violence, they are taken extremely seriously and can result in severe penalties—which often involve significantly longer prison sentences than some violent offenses. 

Why are white collar crimes taken so seriously by government and law enforcement officials?

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), white collar offenses “are not victimless crimes,” and emphasizes that “a single scam can destroy a company, devastate families by wiping out their life savings, or cost investors billions of dollars (or even all three).”

White Collar Crimes Take Many Forms

You should know that the term “white collar crime” does not refer to a single, specific offense with which a person can be charged. Rather, the term refers to a broader category of non-violent criminal offenses that often involve fraud or acts designed to obtain unfair financial advantages. 

Given that the term “white collar crime” is a broader category of offenses, you can face various kinds of criminal charges that may all be classified as white collar crime. 

Common types of white collar offenses include:

• Ponzi schemes
• Credit card fraud
• Insurance fraud
• Investment fraud
• Wire fraud
• Mail fraud
• Healthcare fraud
• Embezzlement
• Money laundering
• Insider trading

Many White Collar Crimes Are Federal Offenses

Given that a majority of white collar crimes involve the use of electronic communication methods and thus interstate commerce, many white collar crimes are charged as federal offenses. Fraud crimes, in particular, can almost always be charged as federal offenses.

Convictions for White Collar Offenses Carry Severe Penalties

You should know that many white collar crime convictions carry extremely serious penalties. For example, many types of federal fraud convictions can result in fines of up to $250,000 and prison sentences of anywhere from 5 to 20 years for numerous offenses.

Lack of Intent May Be Your Best Defense

Most white collar criminal offenses, especially fraud charges, require the prosecutor to prove intent. Accordingly, although other defenses may also be applicable to your case, showing a lack of intent could be your best defense. A white collar crime attorney in Dallas can help you to tailor your defense strategy to the details of your case.

Call Us 24/7 to Get Started on Your Defense

In practice since 1990, our Dallas white collar crime attorneys have the extensive courtroom experience necessary to win tough criminal cases. This background allows us to aggressively provide high-quality representation to people facing these serious charges.

Contact the Law Office of Patrick J. McLain, PLLC online or call (214) 238-9392 today to get started on your defense with our Dallas white collar crime lawyers.