Fargo White Collar Crimes Defense Lawyers

If you’re facing a charge for a white-collar crime, you might not think the potential penalties will be too harsh. After all, it’s not like officers arrested you for a DUI or murdering someone. But you could be looking at years in jail and thousands of dollars in fines.

You could opt for a public defender to represent you, but the attorneys with Sand Law urge you to contact us before you decide. We have years of experience representing people charged with offenses similar to yours. We’ll never make any promises, but we can guarantee we’ll do all we can to help reduce your charges or get your case thrown out.

Call 701-609-1510 or use our online contact form for a free case review to learn more.

What’s Considered a White Collar Crime?

White-collar crime is a non-violent, financially motivated offense committed by individuals, typically professionals or business people, who abuse their positions of trust and access to resources for personal gain. They typically commit these crimes within the context of a business or government setting through the manipulation of financial transactions or the exploitation of confidential information.

Unlike traditional street crime, often associated with violence and physical harm, white-collar crimes tend to be more subtle and challenging to detect. They may involve complex financial transactions and sophisticated schemes to conceal illegal activity. As a result, these crimes are often investigated by specialized law enforcement agencies and require extensive resources to uncover and prosecute.

Types of White Collar Crimes Sand Law Handles

The attorneys with our law firm have extensive experience representing clients involved in white-collar crime cases. Some of the types of cases we handle include the following:

Embezzlement – This involves the theft of money or property by someone entrusted to manage it. Cases will often involve embezzlement from businesses, non-profit organizations, and government agencies.
Fraud – Fraud involves deceiving someone for personal gain. Examples include banks, wire, healthcare, and more.
Money laundering – This crime involves disguising the proceeds of criminal activity as legitimate funds. Money laundering cases are often related to drug trafficking, bribery, and other illegal activity.

We know how to deal with the complexities involved with these cases, and we’re also committed to providing our clients with aggressive representation and skilled legal counsel. If you choose Sand Law, we’ll work closely with you to develop effective strategies to defend against the charges you face and to achieve the best possible outcome.

White Collar Crimes in North Dakota

North Dakota law typically treats white-collar crimes as felonies. The degree of punishment usually depends on the “value,” so to speak, of the crime. For example, if you’re charged with embezzlement of more than $1,000, you’ll likely face Class C felony penalties. These penalties include a jail term of up to five years and a fine of as much as $5,000. If the amount is $10,000 or more, that’s a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

There are some instances where the law considers white-collar crimes as misdemeanors. If, for instance, authorities charge you with embezzlement or fraud of up to $500, that could still result in a year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.

Penalties for Committing a White Collar Crime in Fargo, North Dakota

The penalties for committing a white-collar crime can be severe, depending on the nature and severity of the offense.

For example, people convicted of embezzlement in North Dakota can face fines of up to $10,000 and up to 10 years in prison. Securities fraud can result in fines of up to $5 million and up to 25 years in prison. Money laundering can result in fines of up to $500,000 and up to 20 years in prison.

In addition to criminal penalties, anyone convicted of white-collar crimes may be subject to civil penalties, such as forfeiture of assets and losing professional licenses.

As you can see, the penalties for white-collar crime in North Dakota can have long-lasting consequences. As such, you’ll need to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney who can provide skilled legal counsel and aggressive representation to help minimize the impact of these charges.

The Broader Implications of a White-Collar Crime Conviction

While white-collar crimes are non-violent, the repercussions of a conviction can be profound. Beyond legal penalties, individuals might face strained personal relationships due to the stigma associated with such convictions.

Professionally, career advancement can be hindered, and future job prospects might be limited, especially in sectors that require financial trustworthiness. Additionally, a conviction can lead to challenges in securing business partnerships or even personal loans. Recognizing these broader implications underscores the importance of a robust legal defense.

Legal Defense Against White Collar Crimes

White-collar crimes are complex cases that often require a solid legal defense to achieve the best possible outcome. Some common legal defenses include the following:

Lack of intent – In many white-collar crime cases, the prosecution must prove that the defendant acted with intent to commit the crime. This could be a strong defense if the defendant did not intend to commit the crime.
Entrapment – Entrapment occurs when law enforcement officials induce an individual to commit a crime that they would not have otherwise committed. A defendant will have an excellent chance of winning their case if they can prove that the arresting offer entrapped them.
Duress – Duress occurs when someone forces another person to commit a crime under threat of harm or injury. If a defendant can prove that they committed the crime under duress, this can be a successful defense.
Insufficient evidence – If the prosecution doesn’t have enough evidence to prove that the defendant committed the crime beyond a reasonable doubt, this can be a strong defense.
Constitutional violations – If law enforcement officials violate your constitutional rights during the investigation or arrest, this can be a successful defense.

The Intricacies of White-Collar Crime Investigations

White-collar crime investigations are often intricate, involving multiple agencies and extensive scrutiny of financial records. Authorities might employ forensic accountants, IT specialists, and other experts to trace irregularities and build a case.

Understanding the depth and breadth of these investigations can help individuals prepare for what’s ahead. It’s also crucial to ensure one’s rights are protected during such investigations, as there’s potential for overreach or violations of privacy.

The Role of Restitution in White-Collar Crime Cases

In many white-collar crime cases, the court may order the offender to pay restitution to the victims. This is a monetary compensation meant to cover the losses incurred due to the crime. Restitution can be a way for offenders to make amends and take responsibility for their actions.

It’s essential for individuals facing white-collar crime charges to understand the potential for restitution, how it might impact their financial situation and the overall resolution of their case.

Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney as Soon as Possible

You’ll need to hire a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. A skilled attorney can help you navigate the legal process and build a strong defense strategy to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

Protecting your rights is one of the most critical reasons to hire an attorney early. An experienced lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and work to ensure that they’re upheld throughout the investigation and trial process.

Hiring an attorney can also help to mitigate any potential damage caused by the charges. They can negotiate with the prosecution to reduce or dismiss charges and work to minimize the impact on your professional and personal life.

Contact Sand Law Today to Schedule a Free Case Evaluation

Learn more about how Sand Law may be able to help by contacting us online or calling 701-609-1510.