If you are under investigation or charged with a white-collar crime, you likely already know that there is a lot at stake. Crimes that involve illegal activities for financial gain usually are classified as white-collar crimes. Although they are non-violent, they still carry some severe penalties if convicted. A white-collar crime conviction can follow you for the rest of your life, which is why it is crucial to retain a skilled Dayton white collar crimes attorney.   

At Comunale Law Firm, we have years of experience defending Dayton clients for many types of criminal charges, including white-collar crimes. Every criminal case is different, and no two defense strategies are the same. That is why it is important to contact us right away, so we can start building an aggressive defense.

Examples of White Collar Crimes in Ohio

Before you look at potential defenses to a charge, it is essential to understand what types of crimes fall under the general area of white-collar crimes. Examples of white-collar crimes include, but are not limited to:

  • Fraud,
  • Money laundering,
  • Tax evasion,
  • Insider trading,
  • Embezzlement,
  • Mortgage fraud,
  • Insurance fraud,
  • Forgery, and
  • Other securities fraud.

Just because your charge is not listed here, it does not necessarily mean it is not a white-collar crime. White-collar crimes is an umbrella term covering many financial crimes. Contact us to discuss your case as we can still mount a defense and ensure your rights are protected throughout the criminal process.

Potential Defenses to White Collar Crimes

Depending on the circumstances of your case, there could be one or more defenses available. Some of the most common defenses that could apply in an Ohio white-collar criminal trial include:

  • Coercion: If you were forced or coerced by someone else to engage in illegal financial activities, such as forging a document, coercion could be a viable defense in your case.
  • Entrapment: Entrapment is similar to coercion, except it is when law enforcement is the one coercing, inducing, or using intimidating methods against you to get you to commit a crime you would have never otherwise committed.
  • Lack of Intent: If you can show you had no intention to defraud anyone, it could qualify for lack of intent. For example, you committed a tax crime by accident and had no intention of making a profit.
  • Incapacity: People who are guilty of these white-collar financial crimes are generally smart and savvy, and they are fully aware of what they are doing and the consequences of their actions. If you can show you were incapacitated somehow, it could prove that you were not engaging in illegal financial activity.

In cases where the deck is stacked against you, the better alternative may be to work on a plea bargain with the prosecutor. A plea bargain is when you receive a shortened sentence in exchange for pleading guilty and forgoing your right to trial.

Contact a Dayton White Collar Crimes Lawyer

To learn more about how we can help, contact Comunale Law Office today to schedule an initial consultation. Let us protect your rights and help build the strongest defense possible.