The term “white-collar crimes” encompasses a large number of offenses in Texas. It refers to non-violent crimes of fraud or deceit that usually center on the misuse of money. In addition to falling under state jurisdiction, these are often federal crimes.
Common Types Of White-Collar Crimes
Any type of embezzlement or any other kind of mishandling of money is a white-collar crime. Some of those most often prosecuted in Texas are:
Tax evasion — Providing false information to the IRS to avoid tax collection.
Corporate fraud — Falsification of financial information and insider trading.
Money laundering — Passing off money from illegal activities as legitimate funds.
Investment scams — Ponzi schemes and pyramid schemes.
Healthcare fraud — Billing for procedures that never occurred.
Bankruptcy fraud — Hiding property or otherwise lying on bankruptcy forms.
As you can see, there are many forms of white-collar crimes. If you are facing any of these types of white-collar crimes, it is beneficial to seek out an experienced criminal defense attorney.
Possible Charges For White-Collar Crimes
The punishment for a white-collar crime depends on the amount stolen. Between $1,500 and $20,000 is a state jail felony, which incurs 180 days to two years of jail time. Up to $100,000 in theft is a third-degree felony and has a sentence of two to 10 years in prison. Up to $200,000 is a second-degree felony, which comes with two to 20 years in prison.
Finally, theft of more than $200,000 is a first-degree felony, and prison time ranges from five to 99 years. For any of the above, you may also face a fine of up to $10,000. Your punishment may exceed these typical statutory penalties if you have a criminal history or if you defrauded a large number of people or an older person.
Theft of less than the above amounts is often a misdemeanor. The lowest of these (when theft is less than $50) is a Class C misdemeanor. There is no jail for such an offense, but you may face a fine of up to $500. If you are charged with stealing between $50 and $500, you may face a Class B misdemeanor, in which case the fine increases to $2,000, and jail time is up to 180 days.
Finally, a Class A misdemeanor is for theft of up to $1,500, which can come with a jail sentence of up to a year and a fine of up to $4,000.
Defense For A White-Collar Crime
A common defense for a white-collar crime is to show that the defendant was coerced or committed the crime under duress — someone else forced or pressured you to commit fraud. Alternatively, your defense could be entrapment by law enforcement or incapacity (meaning you were mentally or physically unable to commit the crime you are being accused of). You may also be able to lessen the charges by proving intoxication or insanity.
Since penalties for white-collar crimes can be steep, it’s crucial to receive representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney. Vinas & Graham, PLLC, is a law firm made up of highly experienced criminal defense lawyers. They provide representation for cases in both the state and federal courts. Contact them for a consultation and follow them on Facebook to learn more about the types of offenses they handle.
