White collar crime is non-violent crime that is often committed by deceit or misrepresentation to obtain or avoid losing money. Individuals and organizations can commit white collar crime. Large, ongoing schemes can cost individuals and businesses millions of dollars.
A white collar crime conviction can lead to the automatic assumption that you are untrustworthy or deceptive. These assumptions can affect your ability to advance in your career or secure employment in the future. Contact a Pascagoula white collar crime lawyer at Smith & Holder, PLLC, to discuss your charges.
White Collar Crime Lawyer in Mississippi
Our team represents clients facing a variety of different white collar crime charges in Mississippi. Contact a white collar crime attorney at Smith & Holder, PLLC, so we can review the details of your case and determine whether we can help.
Assistance Program Fraud
Fraud in connection with state or federally funded assistance programs is defined as knowingly:
- Fails, by false statement, misrepresentation, impersonation, or other fraudulent means, to disclose a material fact used in making a determination as to such person’s qualification to receive aid or benefits or services under any state or federally funded assistance program;
- Fails to disclose a change in circumstances to obtain or continue receiving aid or benefits or services to which they are not entitled or more than that to which he is entitled; or
- Aids and abets another person in the commission of any such act.
It also includes those who knowingly attempt to or successfully use, transfer, acquire, traffic, alter, forge, or possess food stamps, a food stamp identification card, an authorization for the purchase of food stamps, a certificate of eligibility for medical services, or a Medicaid identification card, for profit or in any manner not authorized by law or regulations issued by the agency responsible for the administration of the state or federally funded program.
A conviction is punishable by:
- Prison for up to three years and a fine of between $100 and $1,000,
- Up to one year in jail and a fine of between $100 and $1,000,
- An order to make full restitution of the money or services or the value of the services unlawfully received, and
- Suspension from participation in the program for the length of time allowed by the legislation creating such a program.
In some cases, the accused can face additional federal charges.
Extortion
Extortion is defined as purposely obtaining or attempting to obtain property of another or any award, favor, or advantage of any kind by:
- Threatening to inflict bodily injury to any person;
- Committing any other criminal or civil offense against a person;
- Threatening to commit any other criminal or civil offense against a person;
- Public or private revelation of information not previously in the public domain for the purpose of humiliating or embarrassing the other person.
The penalties for extortion depend on the value of the property or items extorted. If the property is valued at under $500, the extortion is a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to six months in jail. If the property is valued at more than $500, the extortion is a felony and is punishable by up to fifteen years in prison.
If the actor commits extortion to obtain any intangible reward, favor, or advantage to which no monetary value is normally given, the charge is considered a felony and is punishable by up to fifteen years in prison.
A public official who commits extortion to obtain any intangible reward, favor, or advantage to which no monetary value is normally given, commits a felony punishable by between two and twenty years in prison.
In Virginia, a public official is defined as any person elected or appointed to any office, position, or job where their fee or salary is paid by the State of Mississippi or any political subdivision thereof or subdivision of the U.S. government.
Forgery
In Mississippi, a person commits forgery when they falsely make, alter, or emboss a card purporting to be a credit card with intent to defraud a purported cardholder, issuer, or person or organization providing money, goods, property, services, or anything else of value. Forgery is considered a misdemeanor and is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
False Impersonation to Receive Money or Property
Mississippi considers it a crime to impersonate or falsely represent yourself as another person to receive money or valuable property on their behalf. False impersonation is punishable to the same extent and in the same manner as theft of the property or funds they received.
Embezzlement
In Mississippi, embezzlement is defined as an individual fraudulently concealing, secreting, or converting for personal use, any goods, rights of action, money, or other property they were entrusted with due to their office, position, or place of employment. An embezzlement charge is a form of theft charge, but the accused had access to the property due to their position or title.
If the property embezzled is worth less than $1,000, the charge is considered a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. If the property embezzled is worth $1,000 but more than $5,000, the charge is considered a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. If the embezzled property was worth more than $5,000 but less than $25,000, the charge is considered a felony punishable by up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. If the property embezzled is worth more than $25,000, the charge is considered a felony punishable by up to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
Contact a White Collar Crime Lawyer at Smith & Holder, PLLC
A white collar crime conviction can lead to irreparable harm to your reputation and permanently derail your professional ambitions.
A white collar criminal defense lawyer at Smith & Holder, PLLC, can utilize our team’s experience as prosecutors to prepare a strong strategy to present to the district attorney. Our attorneys are aggressive, strategic advocates who pursue every opportunity to protect our clients from a conviction.
Contact an attorney at Smith & Holder, PLLC, so we can start reviewing your case.
