Facing white-collar crime charges can be overwhelming, especially when the case involves complex records and aggressive prosecution.
Fortunately, a strong legal defense from a federal crime lawyer in Dallas can make a significant difference in your case’s outcome.
Understanding the White-Collar Crime Charges Against You
White-collar crime charges often involve fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, bribery, or insider trading allegations. Federal agencies usually investigate these cases. The prosecution may rely heavily on documents, financial records, emails, and testimony from former colleagues to make their case.
Furthermore, white-collar charges frequently require the government to prove the act as well as your criminal intent. This distinction affects how your defense is built and how your lawyer approaches the case.
How Preserving Evidence and Staying Silent Can Strengthen Your Defense
What you do after learning you’re under investigation will affect your defense. Avoid deleting emails, modifying financial records, or speaking to investigators without a lawyer present. Preserving all documents and communications (even if you think they’re damaging) gives your lawyer the full picture and helps prevent obstruction allegations.
Remaining silent is also a powerful defense strategy. You have the right to decline to answer questions or make statements to the authorities. As they say, anything you say can and will be used against you. In fact, even informal conversations and social media posts can end up in court. If you stay silent, you won’t accidentally say anything that can be misinterpreted or taken out of context.
Proven Defense Tactics That Can Protect You in White-Collar Crime Cases
A strong defense in white-collar crime cases often starts by challenging the government’s version of events. While every case is different, common defenses include:
- Lack of intent: Many white-collar offenses require proof that you acted willfully or knowingly. If you made an honest mistake or didn’t intend to defraud anyone, the charges may not hold up in court.
- Insufficient evidence: Prosecutors must meet a high burden of proof. If they can’t clearly link you to the alleged crime or prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt, your case may be dismissed, or you may be acquitted.
- Statute of limitations: Federal law generally limits prosecution of white-collar crimes to five years. If the alleged misconduct occurred outside that timeframe (and no valid exception applies), your lawyer can file a motion to dismiss.
Your lawyer may use these and other defense tactics in white-collar cases to protect your rights and challenge the prosecution’s version of the story.
How a Skilled Dallas White-Collar Defense Lawyer Can Strengthen Your Case
When you’re facing federal charges, you need a knowledgeable defense lawyer who can:
- Negotiate with prosecutors to reduce or dismiss charges
- Identify and challenge weak or unlawfully obtained evidence
- See that your rights are protected throughout every stage of the investigation and trial
Broden & Mickelsen, LLP has over 60 years of combined experience in defending federal cases. As board-certified specialists in both criminal law and criminal appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, we provide strategic, trial-tested representation in even the most complex white-collar cases.
Whether you’re under investigation or already facing white-collar crime charges, we can help. Contact Broden & Mickelsen, LLP to speak with a Dallas white-collar crime defense lawyer today.
