Fort Lauderdale White Collar Crimes Lawyer

Fort Lauderdale White Collar Crimes Attorney

People sometimes think of white-collar crimes as being associated only with the financial elite, but anyone can commit fraud, embezzlement, or a similar crime. If you’ve been accused, you should hire a Fort Lauderdale white-collar crimes lawyer who can help right away.

The team here at The Kirlew Law Firm, PLLC, has been practicing criminal defense law for many years. In that time, we’ve developed a deep understanding of white-collar crime laws and how they apply to different situations. If you’re looking for a Fort Lauderdale white collar crime attorney to help you with your case, you can trust us to provide sound legal advice and aggressive representation.

Hire a White-Collar Crime Lawyer

White-collar crimes are more common than many people think. In 2021, estimates of the cost of white-collar crimes ranged from $426 billion to $1.7 trillion per year, with such wide discrepancies explained by the fact that most cases are unreported. In July 2025, only 422 white-collar crimes were reported by the Justice Department. The FBI handled 35% of these cases, with other agencies such as the IRS, DHS, and USPS managing the rest of them.

White collar crimes may tend to go unreported, but if you’re one of the people facing charges, that doesn’t matter. You still need to hire a white-collar crime lawyer to protect your rights throughout the process. Your lawyer can help you with:

• Paperwork and keeping track of deadlines
• Collecting and analyzing evidence
• Finding expert witnesses or other professionals to testify on your behalf
• Crafting an effective defense strategy
• Negotiating with the prosecution if you want to take a plea deal
• Representing you in court if you want to go to trial
• Protecting your rights throughout the process

Common Types of White-Collar Crimes

White collar crimes can involve any kind of manipulation or coercion that ends in financial gain on the part of a business or individual. They are never violent but can be quite serious. Common examples of white-collar crimes include:

• Extortion. Extortion involves threatening someone to obtain something of value from them. These threats often include blackmail in addition to threats of harm to a person or their property.
• Bribery. Bribery occurs when a person gives something of value to someone with authority or influence with the active intention of creating a quid pro quo situation. The person who takes the bribe can also be charged.
• Forgery. Forgery involves the falsification of written materials with legal significance. Defendants can face this charge if they create, use, or possess a forged document.
• Perjury. Perjury doesn’t always occur in the courtroom. People who sign documents under penalty of perjury or make false statements on them can also be charged with this white-collar crime.
• Fraud. Fraud involves obtaining something of value from another person through misrepresentation. Common examples include credit card fraud, insurance fraud, and tax fraud.
• Money laundering. Money laundering refers to the use of transactions intended to mask the source or nature of money that was obtained through illegal activity. Other serious financial crimes, such as securities fraud, involve the manipulation of public markets and investments.

White Collar Crime Penalties

The penalties for white-collar crime vary significantly depending on whether you’re facing state or federal charges and the scale of the crime you’ve been accused of committing. Most are charged as felonies, but some white-collar crimes are considered misdemeanors.

In addition to facing substantial fines and prison terms, defendants convicted of white-collar crimes are typically required to pay restitution to the person, business, or agency they defrauded.

Aggravated White Collar Crime

Florida’s White Collar Crime Victim Protection Act increases the penalties for certain types of white-collar crimes. A criminal activity can be considered an aggravated white-collar crime if it involves at least two crimes with similar intent, victims, results, or methods. You can be charged with felony aggravated white collar crime if you victimize the elderly or the State of Florida.

FAQs

What Is a White-Collar Crime?

A white-collar crime is a criminal act that is financially motivated and non-violent. These crimes are often perpetrated by businesses and professionals and rely on deceit, the abuse of trust, and complex financial schemes rather than force. Examples include fraud, embezzlement, and money laundering. The penalties for white-collar crimes can be significant.

How Do Courts Handle White Collar Crimes?

Courts handle white-collar crimes just like any other crime. The prosecution bears the burden of proof, meaning they must show beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. This often entails the use of circumstantial evidence to show intent. If convicted, the court will impose penalties on the defendant that can include substantial fines, restitution, asset forfeiture, and even prison time.

How Much Time Do You Get for a White-Collar Crime?

How much time you get for a white-collar crime will depend on the nature of the criminal act. If the financial loss was minor, there were few victims, and you have no criminal history, you may face only a short period in a county jail like the Main Jail in downtown Fort Lauderdale, or probation instead of jail time. If your crime was more substantial, you could face a substantial prison term.

What Is Aggravated White Collar Crime in Florida?

Aggravated white-collar crime in Florida involves one of three acts: the commission of multiple white-collar offenses with similar intent or victims, victimizing the State, or targeting many people. The crimes themselves range from fraud to embezzlement and beyond. Aggravated white-collar crime penalties are generally much harsher, involving substantial prison sentences and serious fines.

Fort Lauderdale White Collar Crimes Lawyer

Florida takes white-collar crimes just as seriously as any other type of criminal activity. If you’re facing charges, you should speak with a Fort Lauderdale white collar crimes lawyer immediately. The team here at The Kirlew Law Firm, PLLC, can help. Our attorneys have years of collective experience in defending against white-collar crime allegations. We can help you with your case, too. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.