Under New Jersey law, white-collar crimes such as fraud, embezzlement, and tax evasion can carry significant penalties. In general, these crimes are classified as indictable offenses. These offenses have maximum prison sentences that begin at 18 months of jail time. Also, state-level convictions can result in thousands of dollars in fines. In addition, a conviction can impact every aspect of your professional and personal life. Thus, if you are facing white-collar criminal charges in NJ, you must depend on the legal representation of a skilled Lento Law Firm defense attorney. A great lawyer can effectively assert available defenses for you.
Each type of white-collar crime will impact a defense strategy. Depending on the circumstances in your case, the following are some of the defenses available:
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Finding Weaknesses in the Case of Prosecution
In white-collar crime cases, the prosecution should prove that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Typically, prosecutors don’t take cases to trial. But even if they take yours to court, your lawyer will look for errors or holes in the prosecutors’ case. In their arguments, your attorney will disprove major points to have your case dismissed.
Coercion
Your attorney can assert that you were forced to commit the crime you are charged with. For instance, you might be told to commit a white-collar crime to save your family from harm. This example of coercion can offer a valid defense.
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Lack of Intent
In a case that involves a white-collar crime, the prosecution must prove two major elements. They must prove the act was a crime and that you had the intent to commit such an act. Your attorney can demonstrate that you only made a mistake or may not have benefitted from the act. The prosecution needs to prove you had the intent to commit the crime for financial gain. Otherwise, your case will be dismissed.
Entrapment
In this defense, a police officer coerces you. A lot of people misunderstood entrapment and think that if they are forced by an undercover officer to commit a crime, it’s always entrapment. Unfortunately, this is not the case. When you use entrapment as a defense, you need to prove you wouldn’t have committed the crime if not because of the government official’s influence.
If you are facing charges that involve a white-collar crime, you must seek legal help. You need to hire an experienced criminal defense lawyer who knows the defenses to use and how to them.
