Panama City White Collar Crimes Lawyer

Embezzlement

This involves the misappropriation or theft of funds entrusted to one's care, typically by an employee or official in a position of trust. It may include situations where someone in charge of handling company funds or assets diverts those resources for personal use.

The penalty for embezzlement in Florida depends on the value of the embezzled funds. If the stolen amount is under $20,000, the crime is typically classified as a third-degree felony (up to 5 years in prison). If the amount exceeds $100,000, the offense can be classified as a first-degree felony (up to 30 years in prison).

Money Laundering

Money laundering involves concealing the origins of illegally obtained funds, typically through a series of complex financial transactions, to make the money appear legitimate. This is often linked with drug trafficking, organized crime, or other illegal activities.

Money laundering is a second-degree felony in Florida, punishable by up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. If the money laundering involved large sums of money, the penalties could increase significantly.

Tax Evasion

Tax evasion involves intentionally avoiding the payment of taxes by underreporting income, inflating deductions, or failing to file returns. The penalties for tax evasion in Florida can include substantial fines and long prison sentences.

Tax evasion can result in fines up to $100,000 and prison sentences of up to 5 years for individuals convicted of the crime.

Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud typically occurs when individuals make false claims to insurance companies for financial gain. This can include filing fraudulent accident claims, overstating damages, or inflating medical costs.

Insurance fraud penalties depend on the amount of money defrauded from the insurance company. If the fraud involves less than $20,000, the defendant could face up to 5 years in prison. If the fraud involves larger sums, the penalties become more severe.

Identity Theft

This involves obtaining someone’s personal information without their consent, typically for financial gain. Identity theft can include stealing credit card information, Social Security numbers, or using someone else's personal details to open accounts or take out loans.

Identity theft is a third-degree felony in Florida, punishable by up to 5 years in prison and fines. If the defendant is convicted of stealing a large number of identities or committing identity theft as part of an organized scheme, the penalties can increase significantly.

Each of these crimes comes with its own set of legal complexities. Prosecutors often rely on expert testimony, financial records, and intricate documentation to build their cases. Our skilled Panama City white collar crimes lawyer can help dissect the evidence, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and develop a defense that challenges the charges.

Contact us online or call (850) 290-2505 to schedule a consultation with our white collar crimes attorney.

Consequences of a White Collar/Financial Crime Conviction

Depending on the circumstances of the alleged crime, white collar crimes may either be prosecuted in state law or federal court. Many white collar cases are treated as federal crimes given that they involve interstate commerce, which falls under the jurisdiction of the federal Department of Justice and its various law enforcement agencies. 

Whether the case goes to a state or federal court, you could be facing penalties including prison, steep fines and a lengthy probation. To make matters worse, a conviction would leave you with a criminal record which could have a devastating effect on your professional reputation and future opportunities.

Building a Defense Against White Collar Crime Charges

Defending against white collar crime charges in Florida requires a strategic approach due to the complex nature of these cases. Common defenses include a lack of criminal intent, which can lead to charges being reduced or dismissed if the prosecution fails to prove the defendant’s intent to commit fraud. In some instances, mistaken identity or false accusations may be at play, and a defense attorney can work to demonstrate that the defendant was not involved in the crime. Additionally, if the prosecution cannot present sufficient evidence to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, a defense lawyer will challenge the evidence, looking for weaknesses or inconsistencies in financial records or witness testimony.

Our attorneys at Shepard Law have extensive experience crafting strong defenses tailored to each client’s unique situation. We carefully evaluate the evidence, looking for opportunities to argue lack of knowledge, entrapment, or insufficient resources for prosecution. Whether it’s identifying flaws in the case or challenging the credibility of the evidence, we fight to protect our clients from unjust charges. With a focus on delivering favorable outcomes, we are committed to defending your rights and ensuring you receive the best possible representation.

How Our White Collar Attorneys in Panama City Can Help

Panama City white collar crimes attorney Rusty Shepard regularly represents clients with professional licenses (e.g. nurses and teachers) to protect. Mr. Shepard routinely works with administrative lawyers in Tallahassee to fashion creative solutions to criminal charges that allow clients to protect their professional license and continue to work.

The team at Shepard Law will employ a team of investigators and forensic accountants to assist in white collar/financial crime defense. Mr. Shepard is a former prosecutor who has a successful track record of more than 6,000 cases and served as President of the Bay County Criminal Defense Bar from 2011-2015.