Lake Charles White Collar Crime Attorney
An accusation of white-collar crime can harm your personal and professional reputation. Conviction can lead to criminal penalties and other consequences, such as being unable to work in your field. Just because you are being investigated or charged does not mean you will be convicted. A dedicated Lake Charles white collar crimes lawyer can help you craft a defense, protect your future, and defend your reputation.
At McHale Law Firm, our goal is to help you. Our firm was founded in 1959, and Michael McHale has built up 30 years of legal experience in Southwest Louisiana, as well as a strong presence supporting his community. He is an exceptional litigator and is proud to provide clients with a compassionate but vigorous legal defense.
Our team involves you in each part of the process. It can be uncertain and overwhelming to deal with a criminal charge. We help you understand your options and provide education along the way, involving you in every choice made in your white-collar crime case.
Types of White-Collar Crimes in Lake Charles
White-collar crimes are financial offenses, and usually non-violent. There are numerous types of white-collar crimes in Louisiana and Lake Charles, including:
Forgery and Counterfeiting
Forgery is the offense of creating a false document, fake signature, or other falsification with the intention of committing fraud. This includes money, identification cards, or symbols of value. This offense can result in up to ten years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000.
In Lake Charles in 2023, there were 22 offenses for forgery and counterfeiting, compared to 23 in 2022, according to the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Criminal Justice (LCLE).
Fraud
Fraud is the crime of using fraudulent misrepresentations or conduct in order to obtain financial gain. Fraud is a common type of white-collar crime, and there are numerous types of fraud, including:
- Insurance, healthcare, and Medicaid fraud, or scams that lead to unneeded medical benefits for patients or unnecessary billing by medical professionals
- Wire and mail fraud, or using mail and other communication to commit fraud
- Bank fraud, or defrauding a financial institution to gain assets or money
- Contractor Fraud
These offenses may range in years in prison and in the amount of fines. In 2023, the LCLE reported over 70 fraud offenses committed in Lake Charles, including impersonation and wire fraud.
Embezzlement
This offense occurs when someone within a company takes assets from their boss or company for personal use. This may be an employee, an executive, or another party in the company. The crime is more likely to involve an employee or executive with access to company funds.
Embezzlement offenses are charged as theft crimes, meaning the penalties depend on the amount stolen. Lake Charles reported six embezzlement offenses in 2023, according to the LCLE.
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Bribery
This is the offense of providing someone money or another benefit to influence the decisions of someone in power. This may include an employer, a politician, or an investor. It is illegal to give or receive a bribe. Bribery offenses in Louisiana include commercial bribery, public bribery, bribery of sports participants, and bribery of parents of school children. There was one bribery offense reported by the LCLE in Lake Charles in 2022.
Extortion
Extortion is the offense of using threats to secure money, assets, or anything of value. Threats can include threats of physical harm to the person or their family, threats of revealing a secret, or other harm. According to the LCLE, there were eight offenses for extortion and blackmail in Lake Charles in 2023. Extortion penalties can result in between one and 15 years in prison.
Other White-Collar Offenses
Our firm can also help with criminal charges such as:
- Money laundering
- Identity theft
- Internet crimes
- Tax evasion
The 14th Judicial District Court (JDC) handles criminal cases in Lake Charles, unless your case is under federal jurisdiction. The 14th JDC Courthouse is located at 1001 Lakeshore Drive.
FAQs
Q: What Is a White-Collar Crime in Louisiana?
A: A white-collar crime is a financial crime usually committed by someone with a white-collar job. They can impact individuals and families who are clients of a company, the company itself, and its investors. Employees and business owners with control over finances are often responsible.
White-collar crimes in Louisiana include extortion, bank fraud, bribery, identity theft, embezzlement, money laundering, healthcare fraud, insurance fraud, and mail or wire fraud.
Q: What Are Five White-Collar Crimes?
A: There are many types of white-collar crimes, and five of them include:
- Fraud, which includes mail fraud, healthcare fraud, and bank fraud
- Forgery and counterfeiting of documents, agreements, or other important items
- Embezzlement, or the theft of money by an employee with control over that money
- Money laundering, where illegally-gained money is laundered through a legitimate business
- Extortion, like blackmail, where threats are used to gain something
Q: What Crimes in Louisiana Have No Statute of Limitations?
A: Most white-collar crimes have a statute of limitations between four and six years. This is because most white-collar crimes are felonies. The limitation will be shorter if the offense is a misdemeanor. A criminal statute of limitations gives the prosecution a time limit to file their case after the crime was committed. Louisiana has no statute of limitations for crimes that involve a penalty of life in prison or the death penalty, or specific sexual assault offenses.
Q: When Should I Hire a White-Collar Crimes Lawyer?
A: You should hire a Lake Charles white-collar crimes attorney as soon as possible if you have been charged with or arrested for a white-collar crime. The sooner you work with an attorney, the quicker they can begin aggressively fighting for your interests. If you are being investigated for a crime, it is important to discuss your case with an attorney, regardless of whether you have committed the offense, as this can help protect your rights and improve your chances of a positive result.
Get in Touch with McHale Law Firm in Lake Charles
When you are facing an investigation or charge in a white-collar criminal case, you need experienced legal support as soon as possible. Contact McHale Law Firm and schedule a consultation with our firm today.
