Gulfport White Collar Crime Lawyer
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White collar crime typically involves nonviolent criminal offenses committed to obtain a financial advantage. A white collar crime can target a company, a group of people, or an individual. Even though white collar crimes are nonviolent, they still carry strict criminal and financial penalties. Hiring a Gulfport white collar crime lawyer to represent your case and protect your constitutional rights is critical.
A Gulfport white collar crime attorney can review the circumstances of your charges and build a strategy to defend your case aggressively. Contact a lawyer with Smith & Holder, PLLC to discuss the facts of your case with a member of our team.
Types of White Collar Crimes
People often think of high-profile Ponzi schemes and insider trading as common white collar crimes. While federal securities crimes represent a portion of white collar cases, Mississippi also outlines numerous white collar offenses at the state level.
A Gulfport white collar crime lawyer can defend you against multiple charges, some of which are outlined below. If you want more information about white collar crimes in Gulfport, an experienced criminal defense lawyer can answer your questions.
Embezzlement
Embezzlement occurs when an individual fraudulently conceals, secretes, or converts to their own use money, property, or other assets they were entrusted with due to their position or employment. In these cases, the accused had lawful access to the property but misused it.
Embezzling property worth less than $1,000 is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Property valued between $1,000 and $5,000 may result in a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. Embezzlement involving $5,000 to $25,000 carries penalties of up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. Amounts exceeding $25,000 can result in up to twenty years in prison.
Obtaining a Signature with Intent to Defraud
Mississippi law makes it a crime to obtain another person’s signature or property by using false pretenses. For example, tricking someone into signing a property deed by falsely representing it as a greeting card may result in criminal charges for obtaining a signature with intent to defraud.
If the value involved is less than $500, the offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. If the value exceeds $500, the offense becomes a felony punishable by up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
False Impersonation to Receive Money or Property
Mississippi considers it a crime to falsely impersonate another person in order to obtain money or valuable property. The penalties for false impersonation mirror those for theft of the property or funds obtained.
Computer Fraud
Computer fraud involves accessing or causing access to a computer, system, or network with intent to:
- Defraud
- Obtain money, property, or services through false or fraudulent practices
- Insert malicious programs or instructions designed to damage, alter, disrupt, or misuse computer systems
Computer fraud involving losses under $1,000 is punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Losses between $1,000 and $5,000 may result in felony charges punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Identity Theft
Mississippi law prohibits obtaining or attempting to obtain another person’s personal identifying information with intent to:
- Obtain financial credit
- Purchase or lease property
- Secure employment
- Access medical records
- Commit any illegal act
Identity theft is punishable by two to fifteen years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
Contact a Gulfport White Collar Crime Attorney at Smith & Holder, PLLC Today
A white collar crime conviction can permanently damage your reputation and lead to serious criminal penalties. A Gulfport white collar crime attorney can evaluate your case, determine whether a legal defense applies, and work to reduce or dismiss your charges.
The attorneys at Smith & Holder, PLLC represent clients in both state and federal white collar crime cases. Former prosecutor Chris Smith understands the strategies prosecutors use and leverages that knowledge to protect his clients.
Contact Smith & Holder, PLLC today so we can begin reviewing your case.