White Collar Attorney in Friendswood, TX
Accusations of a white collar crime can be frightening to face. Convictions may result in thousands of dollars in fines or years in prison, while a mismanaged case that is dismissed may pose an ongoing reputational risk. A Friendswood white collar crime lawyer can help you through this trying time. They can aid in avoiding easy mistakes and advocate for you at every stage of the proceedings.
About The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates
Our team at The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates has over 35 years of experience representing the people of Friendswood, Houston, Galveston County, and communities throughout Texas in their white collar crime cases. Founder Tad Nelson is a skilled Friendswood criminal defense lawyer who has litigated over 400 jury trials and is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Overview of White Collar Crimes in Texas
White collar crime remains a serious financial threat across the country. In 2024, consumers nationwide lost $12.5 billion from fraud. Texas ranked as the second-highest state for complaints of internet crime, with Texans losing $1.35 billion in 2024. In the same year, the Southern District of Texas sentenced 219 individuals for fraud, theft, or embezzlement.
White collar crime is an unofficial term for a wide range of non-violent, financially motivated offenses that often occur in corporate or government settings. They can be prosecuted on either the state or federal level, depending on the institutions that the alleged act affected and whether borders were crossed. Cases centered on online incidents are usually federal due to the global nature of the internet.
White collar crimes may be either a felony or a misdemeanor, determined by the value of funds involved or the alleged incident itself. Insurance fraud worth $750 is a Class B misdemeanor, while any case worth more than $2,500 is a felony. Acts such as fraudulent use or possession of identifying information, or identity theft, are always felonies.
State-level Friendswood white collar crime cases are typically processed through the Galveston County Courthouse, located at 722 21st Street, Galveston, TX 77550. Federal charges are heard at the Galveston Federal Building on 25th Street.
Types of White Collar Crime Cases We Represent
White collar criminal cases cover a variety of federal and state charges. The following are a few types of charges that our team can represent:
- Identity theft. Identity theft is a type of fraud where someone steals another person’s personal information to impersonate them for financial gain.
- Tax evasion & fraud. These cases involve a person submitting false information on a tax return to avoid paying what they owe.
- Money laundering. Money laundering refers to those who knowingly receive funds gained through illicit means and co-mingle them into a legitimate business’s finances.
- Forgery. Forgery is the illicit altering of documents, creating false documents, using a forged item, or faking an identity.
- Embezzlement. Embezzlement is defined as the act of someone who either takes assets entrusted to them or uses them for their own gain. One example is an accountant stealing funds from the company accounts.
- Fraud. Fraud can be committed in many ways. The general definition is any action where someone uses false information to obtain money from another party. It can happen in many different sectors, including wire, bank, mail, healthcare, tax, securities, and mortgage fraud.
- Ponzi schemes. Ponzi schemes are a type of fraud where an investment broker or manager uses funds from new clients to pay previous clients to appear successful and meet high expectations.
- Perjury. Perjury is the illegal act of intentionally making false statements, or making another party make false statements, while under oath.
- Internet crimes.
White Collar Crime Defenses
Defenses against white collar crime charges depend on the details of your situation. A few common approaches utilized include:
- Lack of intent. An unlawful action may have occurred with no criminal intent and was a genuine mistake.
- Expired statute of limitations. Most white collar crimes have a time limit for when authorities may prosecute an illicit action. For instance, the statute of limitations for federal wire fraud is five years for most incidents or ten years if it involved a financial institution.
- Coercion. In some instances, a person only committed a white collar crime due to manipulation, threats, or coercion by another party.
- Lack of evidence. Some defenses rely on highlighting the lack of clear evidence that demonstrates any wrongdoing.
- No knowledge. Criminal actions may have happened without the defendant’s knowledge or consent.
- Entrapment. Any unlawful activity only occurred due to law enforcement encouragement.
Hire a White Collar Crime Lawyer
While you may represent yourself, the high-stakes nature of these charges means it is highly recommended that you hire a white collar crime lawyer to assist you with your case. Your Friendswood white collar crime attorney can be at your side from initial investigation and arrest to final court verdict. A few services that our team at The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates can provide to your defense include:
- Choosing a defense. The suitable defense strategy changes on a case-by-case basis. Our team can advise you on which approach may be strongest for your unique situation.
- Examining the prosecution’s case. Many feel that law enforcement and prosecutors are unfair to them, but do not know what points are grounds for contention. We can review the prosecution’s case to challenge weak evidence and highlight prosecutorial errors. Chain of custody issues, unlawful search and seizure, or police misconduct may be used to reduce or dismiss charges.
- Representing you in court. It can be difficult to present your defense alone when charged with a crime. The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates can represent you in all court hearings and advocate for you at each appearance.
- Negotiating a plea bargain. In cases where a conviction seems likely, your attorney can work with the prosecution to agree on a plea bargain that minimizes the case’s impact on your future. Plea deals can shorten prison sentences, reduce fines, and lower the offense that appears on your record.
FAQs
Q: How Long Does a White Collar Crime Case Take to Resolve in Texas?
A: How long your Texas white collar crime case takes to resolve relies on several variables. First is the severity of charges. A misdemeanor check fraud case tends to take less time than federal felony forgery accusations. Another variable is the complexity of the case. Matters involving multiple parties and copious evidence can take longer to process. Finally, there is the charge’s jurisdiction. State-level offenses tend to proceed faster than federal cases.
Q: Do You Need a Lawyer for a White Collar Crime in Texas?
A: Neither federal nor state laws require you to have an attorney when charged with a white collar crime. However, skilled legal counsel can be a worthwhile investment and play an important role in the proceedings. They can draw on their experience in previous matters to advise on strategies, weigh the benefits of a trial or plea deal, defend against faulty arguments made by the prosecution, and speak on your behalf in court.
Q: How Much Does a White Collar Crime Attorney Cost in Texas?
A: How much your Texas white collar crime attorney costs depends on a range of factors, such as the type of offense you are charged with, its severity, the parties involved, the complexity of the case, and the workload for the firm. Representation for an isolated incident of fraud for a small amount typically costs less than defense against allegations of widespread money laundering. In your initial consultation, your lawyer can estimate your total legal expenses.
Q: What Makes a White Collar Crime a Federal Matter in Texas?
A: Whether your Texas white collar crime case is a federal matter is based on the parties affected and where the actions occurred. One reason for federal jurisdiction is if funds or related evidence cross state lines or international borders. Another reason your case may go through the Southern District of Texas is that an act affects a federal agency or a federally insured entity, such as a bank.
Q: What Is the Average Prison Sentence for a White Collar Crime in Texas?
A: The average prison sentence for a white collar crime in Texas varies depending on the offense. In 2024, the median length for federal fraud, theft, and embezzlement wasone year, while money laundering held a longer average of 28 months. These figures are derived from hundreds of cases, and your potential sentence could be longer or shorter. Your attorney can analyze your case and provide an estimate for the time you may serve.
Speak With a Friendswood White Collar Crime Attorney Today
White collar criminal charges can be overwhelming to manage on your own. The Law Offices of Tad Nelson & Associates can use our decades of combined legal experience to guide you through this period and can make a positive impact on your case.
Contact us today to schedule your initial consultation. In this meeting, we can learn about the details of your case and discuss various legal strategies that may be suitable for your circumstances.