White Collar Crime

At Heurlin Sherlock Panahi, our attorneys have extensive experience defending criminal cases in Tucson and throughout Arizona. Our professionals include a current judge pro tempore, a former federal prosecutor, and a former public defender, giving us unique insight into a wide range of criminal cases, from misdemeanors to the most complex felonies, including all types of white collar criminal cases.

White collar crime typically refers to criminal offenses committed in the business or professional setting to achieve financial gain.  These are essentially "paper crimes" in which the accused is alleged to have used deceit to obtain money, property, or professional advantage.  White collar crime encompasses offenses such as securities fraud, tax evasion, mail fraud, embezzlement, conspiracy, and offenses charged under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO). Some drug crimes also fit within this category as well. Depending on the offense, enforcement agencies may include the local district attorney, state attorney general, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), or the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Individuals charged with white collar crimes have the same rights and protections as defendants accused of other crimes.  However, white collar offenses involve numerous complex legal and factual issues that more straightforward criminal charges do not.  

The Investigation Process

Investigation into a white collar crime is a process that may stretch on for months or even years. A person may be the "target" of a criminal investigation but not know it until formal charges are filed. In addition, many white collar criminal defendants have had their cases damaged by something they said or did in the early stages of an investigation, before they were even targeted or suspected.  For this reason it is critical to consult a defense lawyer before any meeting with law enforcement, however innocuous it may appear on the surface.  

Retaining an attorney early in the investigation process can have several advantages. Often, the defense attorney may be able to discuss the case with prosecutors before charges are filed. This can not only potentially minimize charges, but also allow for preliminary negotiations regarding a potential plea agreement to take place once formal charges have been filed.

Plea Agreement

A criminal defense attorney with a strong reputation in the legal community, or who has worked with a particular prosecutor in the past, can often use that to the defendant's advantage.  Sometimes, the prosecutor will agree to drop more serious charges if the defendant agrees to cooperate with an ongoing investigation or plead guilty to lesser charges.  

Sentencing

If the defendant is convicted of a crime, punishments can include probation, fines, community service, restitution, prison, or some combination of the foregoing, depending on the severity of the crime.  Should you be convicted, an experienced defense attorney can work with the prosecutors, pretrial agencies that report to the sentencing Court, and the Court itself to try and ensure that the least severe penalties are imposed.

Seek Experienced Representation

If you or someone you know has been charged with a white collar crime, contact an experienced white collar criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.  Our attorneys have represented clients in connection with a wide variety of white collar offenses, and regularly work with Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), former IRS agents, private investigators, and other experts to present an effective defense for our clients both in and out of court. For assistance with your case, contact the experienced criminal defense lawyers at Heurlin Sherlock Panahi today.