Under Minnesota and federal law, white-collar crimes are illegal, non-violent activities that are committed by individuals and organizations for personal or financial gain. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, white-collar crimes are often complex to prosecute because they are often sophisticated crimes dealing with complex transactions.
Negotiating white collar crime charges in Minnesota is complicated. If you are facing white collar charges, it’s important to understand the intricacies of the crime, common penalties, and defenses.
What Does Minnesota Consider White Collar Crime?
Under our state law, white-collar crimes occur when someone uses unlawful or deceitful methods to secure funds from others. These crimes are usually nonviolent and cover a wide array of actions. That’s why so many different people, from CEOs to accountants to everyone in between, may be charged with white-collar offenses.
Types of White Collar Crimes in MN
The majority of white-collar crimes fall under the category of criminal fraud. However, other examples of white-collar crime include:
- Money laundering
- Racketeering
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Coercion
- Pyramid schemes
The Right Defense for Minnesota White Collar Crimes
When you are charged with a white-collar crime in Minnesota, a robust defense is essential. Due to the complexities of these cases, an attorney will need to scrutinize the charges and evidence in order to challenge the allegations against you. That could mean examining your relationships, motivations, bank records, and other personal paperwork.
With the assistance of an attorney, you may be able to mount a defense that seeks a reduction or dismissal of the charges against you. Possible defense strategies could include:
- Providing alternative explanations for behaviors
- Scrutinizing the search procedures to see if any evidence can be thrown out
- Minimizing the defendant’s role in criminal activity
- Challenging interpretations of the law
After assessing your unique situation and gathering information surrounding your case, an attorney could also be able to negotiate a plea bargain with the prosecution in your favor, which can result in a reduced sentence or reduced charges.
Federal White Collar Crime and Mandatory Sentencing
If you are found guilty of a federal white-collar crime, the crime may be subject to federal mandatory sentencing guidelines, which can get quite complicated. Once the base level of your offense has been determined, the court can consider other aspects of the case to determine the final level of offense and the appropriate penalties.
An experienced attorney can help you to navigate this process. Often, massive fines, extensive periods of probation, lengthy sentences in prison, and even seizure of property involved in the crime can be a part of the penalties. These penalties can also increase depending on the amount of money and the number of victims allegedly involved in the crime.
It can be very difficult for someone convicted of white-collar crime to avoid a prison sentence. That is why it is critical to do everything in your power to protect you and your rights in the legal process from the moment you suspect you are under investigation. Having someone to speak for you in the complicated matter of white-collar crime from start to finish is the only way to ensure you’re rights are being fully represented and obtain the best results possible for your particular case.
About the Author:
Christopher Keyser is an AV-Preeminent rated criminal and DWI defense attorney based in Minneapolis who is known for fighting aggressively for his clients and utilizing innovative tactics to get the most positive results. He has been featured in numerous media outlets due to the breadth and depth of his knowledge and named a Certified Specialist in Criminal Law by the Minnesota Bar Association. Mr. Keyser is Lead Counsel rated, and he has received recognition for his criminal law work from Avvo, Expertise, Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, and more.
