White Collar Crimes in Florida: Charges, Investigation, and Defense Strategies
White-collar crime is a general term that refers to non-violent offenses usually committed for financial gain. In Florida, these cases can involve complex financial transactions, paper trails, and lengthy investigations by either the state or federal authorities. While these crimes are non-violent, the consequences can be serious. Often, they include prison time, steep fines, restitution to the victims, and permanent damage to your professional reputation.
Common white-collar charges in Florida
Florida law and federal statutes cover a wide range of white collar offenses. Some of the most common include:
- Fraud – Wire fraud, mail fraud, healthcare fraud, insurance fraud, and mortgage fraud.
- Embezzlement – Misappropriating funds from an employer, organization, or client.
- Money Laundering – Concealing the origins of illegally obtained money by moving it through legitimate businesses or financial accounts.
- Bribery and Corruption – Offering or accepting something of value to influence official actions.
- Identity Theft and Cybercrime – Using another person’s personal or financial information for unlawful purposes.
Many of these offenses can be charged at either the state or federal level, depending on the scope of the alleged conduct and the agencies involved.
How white-collar crimes are investigated
White collar cases often begin long before an arrest. Investigations may be triggered by suspicious financial activity, whistleblowers, or audits. Agencies such as the FBI, IRS, SEC, or Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) can become involved.
Investigators typically rely on:
- Subpoenas and search warrants for bank accounts, emails, and business records.
- Forensic accounting to trace financial transactions.
- Witness interviews and grand jury testimony to build a case.
Because these investigations can last months or even years, individuals may not know they are targets until they receive a subpoena, a target letter, or a knock on the door from investigators. At that point, every step matters.
Defense strategies for white-collar crime
Despite the complexity of these cases, white collar charges are very defensible. Strategies include:
- Lack of intent – Many white collar crimes require the prosecutor to prove the defendant’s intent to defraud. Honest mistakes, accounting errors, or mismanagement are not crimes.
- Insufficient evidence – Prosecutors must connect financial records to specific criminal acts. Weak or circumstantial evidence might not meet their burden of proof.
- Constitutional violations – If investigators conducted unlawful searches or seized evidence improperly, that evidence may be excluded.
- Challenging the credibility of witnesses – Cooperating witnesses may have a motive to exaggerate or misrepresent facts.
- Early negotiation – In some cases, working proactively with prosecutors can minimize charges or reduce penalties.
Experienced counsel matters
White collar cases involve a lot of documents and legal complexity. Prosecutors tend to have vast resources at their disposal, and the government will pursue charges aggressively. An attorney with experience in both state and federal courts can evaluate evidence, challenge the investigation, and build a defense that is tailored to your circumstances.
Talk to a Tallahassee White-Collar Crime Attorney Today
Luke Newman, P.A., represents the interests of defendants who are being prosecuted for white-collar crimes. Call our Tallahassee criminal defense lawyers today to schedule an appointment and learn more about how we can help.
