People accused of crimes are entitled to have their side be heard in a court of law, regardless of what those charges may be. Someone who is charged with committing a “white collar crime” deserves an aggressive legal defense just as much as anyone else. The moniker brings to mind images of overflowing riches, but the reality is that so-called white-collar crimes are not limited to the ultra-wealthy. Many people accused of white collar crimes are of middle-class means, and they have just as much a right to a strong legal defense in court as their wealthier counterparts.
Under Section 503 of the California Penal Code, embezzlement is defined as “fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted.” These charges can have life-changing consequences for the person who stands accused of them. Charges of embezzlement can be considered grand theft depending on the amount of money or the value of the property in question, and grand theft charges can mean spending years in the state penitentiary if the person is convicted.
The crime of forgery, under Section 473 of the California Penal Code, is punishable by a maximum of one year in jail. However, there are several exceptions to this law. Like embezzlement, forgery charges can accompany more serious charges—with more serious consequences. If the forgery involves monetary documents like checks, and the value of those documents exceeds a certain amount of money, the person charged with forgery may find themselves facing a grand theft charge, as well.
Being charged with money laundering can turn your world on its end. The California Penal Code outlines the crime in Section 186.10, and punishments can include fines in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and depending on how many counts a person stands accused of, each count can come with its own hefty fine and prison sentence. Laundering money is also a federal offense, so if you are charged with money laundering, you need to get your case evaluated by Beverly Hills white collar crime defense attorneys to learn more about your legal options.
Insurance fraud covers a wide range of crimes under the California Penal Code, including car insurance, homeowner’s insurance, and health insurance. Being accused of defrauding insurance companies is a felony, and it is a serious crime that can carry penalties including several years of incarceration and tens of thousands of dollars in fines if convicted.
If you have been accused of embezzlement, forgery, money laundering, fraud or any white collar crime, you need a strong defense team to back you up in court. The knowledgeable Beverly Hills white collar crime defense attorneys at Okabe and Haushalter can put their experience to work for you. Their defense strategies have proven results, and their legal expertise can help you get your charges or sentences reduced. Contact today for a no-cost consultation.
