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The term "white collar crime" refers to any nonviolent crime that is committed by corporate or government officials , or, indeed an individual, to achieve unlawful commercial gains. Especially in cases of white collar crimes, it is frightening how often people find themselves in trouble just by a simple mistake, being unaware of the applicable laws or simply being a convenient "fall guy": The mistaken belief that such crimes, involving business issues and neither drugs nor violence, need not be taken seriously have led many a defendant to prison.

The chances of having the criminal justice spotlight on you through no fault of your own are just as great, if not greater, in these types of cases. In many instances, these crimes appear to have been committed, or in fact have been committed, through simple mistakes and misunderstandings. Most of these crimes, however, require intentional acts, usually motivated by potential profit, in order to actually constitute a crime. Often, the law allows prosecutors to relay upon presumptions to prove such intent. It is urgent that any target of such an investigation be represented at the first possible moment so that rights may be preserved and any possibility of ending the investigation without criminal prosecution can be examined. For over 50 years Our Boston Criminal Lawyers at Altman and Altman LLP have helped clients who have been criminally investigated and/or charged with white collar crimes. If you have been charged or are being investigated or questioned regarding such a crime, you need a lawyer. Let our criminal trial attorneys provide you with an immediate free consultation.

Most white collar crimes involve the allegation of some kind of fraud. Documents and circumstances can often be misinterpreted by investigators, supporting a conclusion of guilt prematurely. An experienced attorney, if retained early enough, can often help prevent such misunderstandings from becoming the basis of a criminal prosecution. There are many circumstances in which such accusations can arise. A few examples follow:

• Illegitimately Profiting Through Legitimate Means
  
  

  Certain financial mechanisms have been put in place in order to assist or "make whole" someone in their time of need. However, the intentional providing of false information in that process in order to profit, help someone else to do so, is a crime. Similarly, in some instances you may have the obligation to report income. The intentional providing of false information in such instances can effect one's tax status, receiving of government grants or other such financial aid. Examples of such "abuse of the system" crimes include:

  • Insurance Fraud - If you have been charged or are being investigated with filing a fraudulent insurance claim for your motor vehicle, home, or personal property, then call the criminal defense lawyers at our Boston area criminal defense law firm. We have been defending individuals that have been charged with insurance fraud for over 40 years.
    
    
  • Health Care Fraud - Unauthorized doctors practice health care fraud under the pretense of legalized professionals and receive payment for their work.
    
    
  • Welfare Fraud
    
    
  • Tax Fraud - Tax fraud involve the reporting of inaccurate information to evade or reduce one's taxes.
    
    
• Illegitimately Profiting Through Illegitimate Means
  
  

  Some White Collar allegations, when boiled down to their components, setting aside the fancy name, amount to simple theft. This can range from the businessman accused of stealing funds from his company to using someone else's information to charge their credit card or bank accounts without authorization, to undertaking other activities that undermine the economic security of a corporation, such as stealing or giving away classified information. Examples of this type of crime include:

  • Credit Card Fraud/Identity Theft Crimes - If you have been charged or are being investigated with the unauthorized use of a credit card, charge card, or obtaining someone else's personal information to obtain a credit card or credit account for the unauthorized purchase of personal property, real state, or securities, then call the criminal defense law offices of Altman and Altman and speak to an experienced Massachusetts criminal defense lawyer.
    
    
  • Embezzlement and Theft - Embezzlement and theft are acts of taking anything that is not one's own personal property.
    
    
  • Economic Espionage - Economic espionage includes any activities that undermine the economic security of a corporation, such as stealing or giving away classified information.
    
    
  • Telemarketing Fraud - Telemarketing fraud involves the act of collecting people's personal information under the guise of marketing advertisements and using it the illegal access of the victims' bank accounts, acquirement of further personal information, and so forth.
    
    
• Illegitimate Use, If Not Actual Creation Of, Money
  
  

  There are a number of crimes which involve the abuse of United States Currency. When you receive money, you do not usually know the particular bill's history. Its future after it leaves your possession is likewise unknown. However, the very fact that the money has paused its travels to visit with you can lead to suspicions about your involvement with any criminal enterprise along its continued journey. The money may be connected with a crime. It may not be genuine. In such cases, you could easily fall into the web of suspicion. Issuing a check for which you have insufficient funds, or even cashing a third party check which bounces can likewise bring you to the attention of criminal justice agencies. Examples of such crimes include:

  • Counterfeiting and Forgery - Counterfeiting is the production of illegitimate currency or goods. Forgery is the unlawful production of another person's signature to yield his or her uninformed consent.
    
    
  • Uttering
    
    
  • Money Laundering - Money laundering is the use of unlawfully acquired money in lawful institutions, if you have been charged with this crime call for an immediate free consultation.
    
    
  • Bribery - Bribery is the use of money or other goods to influence the decisions of other people.
    
    

Even if you are not the primary target of an ongoing investigation, it does not take very much for the government to believe you were "in on it." In such a case, a Conspiracy may be alleged. If you are believed to be part of a criminal conspiracy, they you may be found guilty for the acts of all other participants in the alleged scheme.

There are many types of white collar crimes in addition to the ones that are listed above, If you have reason to believe you are being investigated, do not guess, the risk is too great. Get an experienced lawyer to help you.

If you are being investigated, questioned, or have been formally charged then call to immediately speak to an experienced Boston criminal lawyer. Call us at (617) 492-3000 or contact us online today.