Miami White Collar Crime Attorney
The investigation of white collar crime is on the rise, partly because the rate of whistleblower complaints is increasing across several financial sectors. The SEC alone received nearly 4,000 tips on bribery and corruption as far back as 2015, and the public’s awareness of whistleblower statutes has only grown since then. There may not be more white collar crime occurring now than in the past, but investigations and prosecutions have become more widespread and more intense. Now more than ever, it is vital to get representation from an experienced Miami white collar crime attorney if you are accused of white collar crimes in South Florida. Bruce L. Udolf, P.A., provides you with a former federal prosecutor of white collar crimes and an experienced criminal defense attorney who has spent more than two decades defending people charged with white collar crimes in Miami and South Florida.
What is white collar crime?
Black’s Law Dictionary defines white collar crimes to signify non-violent crimes or law violations by corporations or individuals that involve theft, fraud or breaches of trust in the course of employment, such as embezzlement, price-fixing and antitrust violations. Today, white collar crimes can be found in dozens of lengthy, complex and highly technical federal statutes. In Miami, white collar crimes often fall into one of the following categories:
- Securities Fraud
- Computer Crimes
- Identity Theft
- Health Care Fraud
- Credit Card Fraud
- RICO/Racketeering
- Cybercrime
- Mortgage Fraud
- Tax Charges
- Mail & Wire Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Some of the statutes defining the elements of a white collar criminal offense are so complex that legal scholars, lawyers and judges may have different understandings about what type of conduct actually breaks the law. For example, an aggressive approach on an income tax return may be viewed by some accountants as illegal tax evasion, while other CPAs view it as smart and legal tax avoidance. A stockbroker who is highly active in trading stocks for a client may be seen as doing an excellent job for the client by some or as engaging in excessive trading or churning by others. If you are accused of engaging in illegal conduct, it is imperative to get advice and representation from a knowledgeable Miami white collar criminal defense attorney who has successfully defended cases like yours in the past.
Do I need a lawyer if I’m approached for questioning about a white collar crime in Miami?
Long before federal prosecutors ever approach a grand jury for a white collar criminal indictment, federal law enforcement officers and investigators have spent months building their case. Often, this stage involves contacting people they consider to be potential witnesses or potential suspects. Federal officials will seek to interview these people in hopes of uncovering incriminating information that will either lead to an arrest or force the persons into cooperating with the government to avoid criminal charges. A favorite charge of federal investigators is an alleged violation of 18 U.S.C. 1001, which makes it a crime to knowingly and willfully give a materially false statement to a federal agent. With repeated questioning, these trained interrogators can get people to make seemingly inconsistent statements that could support a charge of violating this statute, or at least allow law enforcement to threaten this charge to force further cooperation.
You have the right to speak to an attorney before answering any questions put to you by law enforcement agents, whether or not you are in custody at the time. Federal officers may make it sound like answering their questions will only be helpful to you, but responding to those questions can just as easily be disastrous. If approached by federal agents for questioning, a prudent response is to ask for their card and let them know you will have your attorney contact them. This doesn’t make you look guilty; it makes you look smart.
Effective Legal Representation in Miami White Collar Crimes
If you’ve been arrested for white collar crime in South Florida, or if you’ve been approached for questioning by federal agents, call Bruce L. Udolf, P.A. for practical advice and effective advocacy from an experienced and successful Miami white collar crime attorney.
