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Defense of Fraud and White Collar Crimes

The term "White Collar Crime" was first used in the 1930's relating to non-violent crime that was being prosecuted. Often times these crimes were charged when more serious violent crimes could not be proved.
"White collar crimes" are generally classified as felonies, and these carry significant legal consequences. They most often involve money violations in a business setting. Punishment and sentencing vary with the amount of money involved, along with the accused's intent, criminal record and other factors. White collar crimes include such criminal activities as investment schemes, securities fraud, mail and wire fraud, insider trading, embezzlement, mortgage fraud and more.

White collar crimes may be prosecuted at the State or Federal level, depending upon the crime for which the defendant has been accused. If an individual is convicted of committing a white collar crime in Texas the punishment may consist of monetary fines, a prison sentence, or house arrest. These penalties can often destroy your reputation as a respected business person.

Medical Insurance Fraud:

Many Medicare cases and other health insurance fraud cases result in prison terms for the doctors and dentists who have been convicted of these crimes. Chiropractors have also been targeted for prosecution resulting from allegations of false or misleading billing. These crimes are prosecuted by the United States Attorney's Office, the District Attorney's Office and the Attorney General's Office. We represent doctors accused of falsifying certificates of medical necessity, individuals who run durable medical equipment companies, and runners accused of soliciting patients.

Embezzlement:

The typical embezzlement case involved an employee stealing from an employer or other organization for which the person is financially entrusted. It can be as simple as stealing some petty cash or a few office supplies, or as complicated as a sustained effort to steal money by transferring cash out of business accounts for your personal use. Embezzlement is a criminal offense that is categorized as a theft or fraud charge. Typically, the penalties are the similar as those of a theft/larceny offense.
The amount of money allegedly embezzled determines the seriousness of the potential penalties, and whether the offense is a misdemeanor or felony level charge. There are different statutes under state laws that cover embezzlement and related financial theft, and there could be other charges if you are prosecuted in federal court for crimes across state lines.

Mail and Wire Fraud:

Wire fraud is a legal concept that provides for enhanced penalty of any criminally fraudulent activity if it is determined that the activity involved electronic communications of any kind, at any phase of the event. Mail fraud refers to any scheme which attempts to unlawfully obtain money or valuables in which the postal system is used at any point. Mail fraud charges can provide for an increased penalty of any criminally fraudulent activity if it is determined that the activity involved used the United States Postal Service.
In both cases this statute is often used as a basis for a separate federal prosecution of what would otherwise have been only a violation of a state law.

Over the past several years the courts are punishing these crimes more severely. It is more important then ever that a person who is charged with one of these crimes hire an attorney that has extensive experience in handling these cases.

If you have been charged with a federal crime you need an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Contact Parnham & Associates today at (713) 224.3967 or use our convenient online submission form. Depending on the circumstances, we have many options in mounting a strong defense for you.

 

Our attorneys are intimately familiar with all facets of criminal defense and may help clients with the following:

• Work to get the charges dropped or lowered
• Interview police, involved parties, and any possible witnesses to expose any lies or exaggerations
• Make sure that no evidence against our client was obtained illegally
• Conduct a thorough pre-trial investigation
• Employ a private investigator, ballistics expert, polygraphist, or any other experts that may be able to help strengthen our client's defense
• Obtain expert witnesses to testify on behalf of our clients
• Negotiate with prosecutors to make sure our clients face the minimum possible penalties

 

This is for general informational purpose only. This information: • DOES NOT represent a legal advice or opinion, • DOES NOT create an attorney-client relationship, • DOES NOT account for community-supervision eligibility, special punishment issues, mandatory minimum confinement, enhancements, and "Exceptional Sentences" under Chapter 12 Subchapter D of the Texas Penal Code, • DOES NOT apply Corporations & Associations. • DOES NOT represent the unique circumstances of your case.