White Collar Crime And Corporate Law: Understanding Your Criminal Charges And Plea Deals

If you have recently been accused of a white collar crime (e.g., embezzlement, money laundering, Ponzi schemes, etc.) and arrested, there are some things you need to know about your criminal charges and corporate law. The charges brought against you impact the whole corporation you work for, so it is not just you that is being punished. As an investigation launches into your actions, other people in the company will also be investigated and possibly brought in on related charges. As your hearings and trial progress, you need to understand your own charges, and what they mean for you with regards to sentencing and plea deals.

Your Lawyer's Job to Debunk the Allegations

Your lawyer (or team of lawyers) has to prove that each individual charge against you is not legitimate. If you kept substantial records of your financial activities, this may hurt or help your case. For example, if you are innocent of the charge of embezzlement, and you kept records of all of the company money you spent for company purposes, your lawyer can use that to prove you did not embezzle. However, if you did embezzle and keep records of what you spent, how much, when, where, etc., then obviously those records will be found in the investigation and brought to light, which hurts your case. For every allegation and accusation, your lawyer will have to prove that you did not do it. If he or she is unsuccessful because there is insurmountable evidence that you at least had a small part in these crimes, you may need to consider taking a plea deal.

Plea Deals

Prison time for white collar crime is usually spent in a minimum security facility, but your sentence could be anywhere from a few months to several years. Plea deals can bargain your sentence down to something that may seem a little more fair to you. Essentially, your lawyer will go tete-a-tete with the prosecutor and make a deal for so much time served if you are willing to do a, b, or c. If you find the terms agreeable, such as turning in other company frauds, thieves and cheats, you may serve less time in prison, but you will still have to serve time. Plea deals are frequently done to avoid prison time and to avoid lengthy trials that may result in far worse sentences for you, so if you are offered a plea deal, you may want to take it.

Contact a professional like George M Cappello, Lawyer for more information.


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