White Collar and other Criminal Defense

SOPHISTICATED DEFENSE REPRESENTATION IN FEDERAL AND STATE COURTS THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY

“White-collar crimes” are generally characterized as nonviolent, financially motivated offenses that involve some form of theft and/or fraud. These crimes are committed by individuals or business organizations and can be tried in state court, federal court, or both.

Our New Jersey white-collar crime lawyers have over 75 years of combined legal experience and are widely respected by judges and prosecutors. Our team at Whipple Azzarello, LLC has worked on both sides of the bench and has a full understanding of how these cases are adjudicated at the state and federal levels.

Whether you are the subject of a criminal investigation or have already been charged with a crime, we are prepared to leverage our knowledge and skills to build a powerful defense. We have a strong track record of achieving favorable results in and out of the courtroom and are ready to provide the care and attention your case deserves.

TYPES OF WHITE -COLLAR CRIMES

Many federal and state agencies investigate and prosecute white-collar crimes. You may learn you are under investigation for a white-collar crime when you or your business is served with a subpoena. If you are contacted by investigators, you should immediately convey that you will only interact with them with the assistance of counsel. You are under no obligation to speak to them about any topic. You should immediately seek legal guidance and representation. We can help you understand what charges you may be facing and begin preparing a defense strategy.

Our New Jersey white-collar crime attorneys can defend you in cases involving many types of offenses, including:

Embezzlement. This offense involves the misappropriation of assets placed in one’s care. A common example involves an executive stealing money from their employer. Entities can also embezzle funds from other parties.
Extortion. Someone may face these charges if they unlawfully coerce another party to obtain some sort of benefit. For example, an extortion offense might involve a perpetrator threatening to reveal a victim’s private information if they do not facilitate requested financial payments.
Forgery. Forgery occurs when someone attempts to deceive another person through a falsified document or signature. A perpetrator might use a forged contract or license to obtain an occupational advantage.
Fraud. A person or entity commits fraud when they intentionally deceive another party to gain some sort of advantage. Many types of fraud can result in serious criminal charges, including corporate fraud, insurance fraud, securities fraud, payroll fraud, bankruptcy fraud, and charity fraud.
Insider Trading. Someone may be charged with insider trading if they leverage privileged, confidential information to take advantage of the stock market.
Money Laundering. Money laundering involves disguising illicitly obtained financial assets so that they appear legitimate.
Tax Evasion. A person or business can be charged with tax evasion if they deliberately misrepresent their financial circumstances to underpay their tax obligation. An individual or entity can also face these charges if they refuse to pay what they owe.
Wage Theft. An employer commits wage theft when they do not appropriately pay their employees under the law.

Penalties for White-Collar Crimes

The severity of penalties in a white-collar criminal case will depend on the nature of the offense and the amount of money involved. It is also important to understand that, in some cases, someone can potentially be prosecuted for a single white-collar offense at both the state and federal levels. This means a person can face two potential convictions and two corresponding sets of penalties.

Potential penalties for white-collar crimes include:

Incarceration. Several white-collar offenses carry maximum sentences involving multiple decades of prison time.
Fines. The state government and the federal government may impose fines in the hundreds of thousands of dollars for each offense.
Asset Forfeiture. If the state or federal government determines an asset was acquired through criminal activity, they may seize that asset.
Restitution. When a white-collar crime causes significant financial harm, a convicted perpetrator may be required to compensate the victim(s).

In some cases, it may be possible to secure probation or home confinement (also known as “house arrest”) instead of prison time. However, any type of white-collar criminal conviction will almost certainly do significant damage to your professional reputation, and it may be difficult to obtain new employment.

At Whipple Azzarello, LLC, we know what is at stake, and our New Jersey white-collar crime lawyers are ready to put our prosecutorial and defense experience to work for you. You will work directly with an attorney throughout our firm’s handling of your case, and we will do everything possible to secure a favorable outcome.