A white collar crime is usually classified as a felony offense and can come with serious consequences. Regardless of whether you have been arrested for embezzlement, bribery, exhortation, insider trading or a combination of all four, you could be looking at a long prison sentence if you do not play your cards right. So what can you do to avoid a criminal conviction?
Handling the Arrest
One of the worst parts about being arrested for a white collar crime is that, in most instances, the arrest will happen during the day at your place of work. One minute you are busily checking your emails and scheduling meetings and the next you are being guided out the door in handcuffs while your co workers stare in disbelief. It can be embarrassment and infuriating at the same time. Even before you have been to court, you are automatically labeled as a criminal and assumed guilty. The first thing you need to do is remain calm and polite. Avoid the stares and whispers from your coworkers and your neighbors and try to remain calm. Surround yourself with supportive family and friends and avoid talking about the events to anyone except your lawyer.
Contacting a Lawyer
Make sure you contact a good attorney with experience in white collar crimes. Every single white collar crime is different which is why you need to be completely honest about the events pertaining to your case. An experienced attorney will assess your story, speak to the other side, interview witnesses, gather evidence and look at the different defense strategies that will work for your situation. You may not have realized that what you did was a crime or you may have been framed. There are a number of strategies that will work in court.
Returning to Normal Life
The time in between the arrest and the court date can seem like a nightmare. You may feel like you are in limbo. You might consider taking time off work if you haven’t done so already. Lie low from the press and avoid any people or places that may set you off. You may feel the urge to defend yourself and explain your side of the story but this could end up backfiring in the court. Concentrate on the things in your life that make you happy – spend time with family, focus on a hobby or keep yourself busy with home improvement projects around the house.
Preparing for Court
As the court date approaches, you will need to practice what you will say on the stand. You should also try to make yourself look as nice as possible. For men, this means remaining clean shaven. Wear a nice suit to court. For females, this means covering up any offensive tattoos, avoiding excessive makeup and choosing a suitable outfit for the occasion.
A white collar criminal conviction is something we all want to avoid. For more information on how to handle this serious accusation, contact an experienced Minneapolis white collar criminal defense attorney right away.
Disclaimer: The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established.
