Myrtle Beach White Collar Defense Lawyer

White collar crimes cover a wide range of offenses. These are typically allegations involving deceit and misrepresentation for financial gain, often at the expense of another party. A conviction can carry serious penalties, including prison time, heavy fines, and restitution obligations. If you are facing charges or an investigation for financial misconduct, a Myrtle Beach white collar defense lawyer from our firm could guide you through the legal process while protecting your rights and interests. Our criminal attorneys could review the prosecution’s evidence in your case, consider available defenses to the charges, and advocate for you in court.

What Are White Collar Crimes?

White collar crime allegations can occur in professional settings, business transactions, and personal relationships. Most involve claims of deceptive conduct made with the clear intent to secure a benefit or cause financial harm. The following charges under South Carolina Criminal Code § 16-13 fall within the category of white collar crimes:

• Forging or fraudulently altering a written instrument
• Obtaining a person’s property or signature to a written instrument or security through false pretenses
• Committing a breach of trust with fraudulent intent to misappropriate another person’s property
• Financial identity fraud

Other charges could apply in your case depending on the nature of the property taken, fraudulent intent, and means of conversion. The penalties for conviction will also vary depending on the allegation. In many cases, the value of property or the amount in controversy will determine the corresponding penalties and whether the offense is a misdemeanor or a felony. For example, the forgery of an instrument valued at $10,000 or more is a felony with a maximum imprisonment of ten years. A forgery conviction below $10,000 is still a felony but carries a lower maximum prison term of five years. In comparison, a forgery that does not involve a dollar amount is a misdemeanor offense with a three-year maximum sentence. A defense attorney from our Myrtle Beach practice could provide clarity and guidance in allegations involving financial fraud.

Defending Against White Collar Crime Charges

No two white collar cases are exactly alike, and the defense available in your case will depend heavily on the facts and the prosecutor’s evidence against you. Some defenses our Myrtle Beach lawyers can raise will dispute the existence of certain elements a prosecutor must prove for a charge of financial criminality to hold. We may be able to argue that you lacked fraudulent intent or that you acted under a legitimate claim of right to the property at issue.

Beyond stronger affirmative defenses in your case, our experienced attorneys could also protect you from unconstitutional methods by law enforcement or prosecutors to build a case against you. Enforcing your procedural rights in white collar criminal cases is important for protecting against the impermissible use of evidence against you. Removing key evidence from the prosecution’s case can sometimes result in reduced charges or a dismissal of the case. Our job is to evaluate every available argument in your defense.

Call Our Myrtle Beach Defense Attorneys About Financial Misconduct

If you are facing charges or an investigation, the next decisions you make may directly impact the resolution of your case. Working with a Myrtle Beach white collar defense lawyer from our firm early in the process could make a significant difference in understanding the charges, raising key defenses, and finding a strategy that aligns with the strengths of your case. Our lawyers are available now to provide the legal advocacy you deserve. Contact South Carolina Criminal Law today to schedule a free case evaluation.