White Collar Crime FAQ

Orange County White Collar Crime Attorney

What is a white collar crime?

A white collar crime is a criminal offense that is most often related to business or finances, committed in a professional setting by a business executive, politician or other person in a position of power or responsibility. Most white collar crimes are non-violent theft crimes and may be charged as federal offenses, depending on the case.

What types of white collar crime cases does your firm handle?

At the Law Offices of Fred Thiagarajah, we take on all types of white collar crimes throughout all of Orange County, California. This includes: fraud, embezzlement, forgery, counterfeiting, extortion, conspiracy, money laundering, and more.

What types of penalties may be imposed for a conviction of a white collar offense?

A person convicted of a white collar crime may face imprisonment in state prison or county jail, depending on whether the offense is classified as a felony or a misdemeanor. Most white collar crimes are felony offenses, and this means that a defendant is likely to face a minimum of 1 year in state prison as well as heavy fines. Restitution to any victims that were affected by the offense may also be required.

What should I do if I am under investigation but have not been charged with a crime?

Even if you have not yet been arrested and no charges have been filed against you, you may be at risk of facing arrest and criminal proceedings at any moment. This is one of many reasons to involve an attorney as soon as possible. An attorney can actually step in to protect your rights and interests in the investigatory phase of your case, and in some cases this can help ensure that you avoid formal charges altogether.

What is fraud?

Fraud is best defined as theft by deceit. In committing fraud, an individual would deceive others in order to unlawfully obtain property, goods or services. There are numerous forms of fraud, all considered white collar crimes: health care fraud, credit card fraud, insurance fraud, mail and wire fraud, bank and loan fraud, internet fraud, and investment/securities fraud.

If you have questions about white collar crimes or would like to learn more about how our firm can help you, contact an Orange County white collar crime lawyer at the Law Offices of Fred Thiagarajah today.