Maine White-Collar Crime Lawyer
Accusations of white-collar crime threaten to throw off your personal and professional life with serious legal consequences. And at David J. Bobrow Office of Law, LLC, we know the seriousness of being accused. Our team is dedicated to giving each client a compassionate, skilled defense to protect their future and reputation. With extensive experience in white-collar crime cases, we can guide you through the challenges to help ensure your rights are fully protected.
Our firm is an award-winning criminal defense firm with years of experience. We have helped countless clients in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire overcome the challenges of criminal cases. Let a white-collar crime lawyer from our firm put their experience to work for you.
What Are Some Types of White-Collar Crime?
“White-collar crime” often means non-violent offenses committed for financial gain in professional or business settings. The types of white-collar crime may involve deception, fraud, or a breach of trust (failing to fulfill a professional duty). In Maine, white collar crimes include a wide range of illegal acts, including:
- Theft by deception. This involves a defendant using lies to get or control someone else’s property with the intent to keep the owner from having or using the property.
- Insurance deception. This occurs when a defendant intentionally misrepresents (or doesn’t tell the full truth about) an important matter to someone in the insurance business.
- Theft by receiving stolen property. With this crime, a defendant keeps, throws away, or receives property they know or believe is stolen with the intent to keep the owner from having or using the property.
- Deceptive business practices. With this crime, a defendant who is doing business lies about the qualities, amount, or availability of the goods or services they are selling.
- Defrauding a creditor. This involves a defendant selling, encumbering (taking out a loan or lien on), destroying, hiding, removing, or making a false written statement about property that a creditor has a right to take back or collect on with the intent to keep the creditor from enforcing their right.
- Misuse of trusted property. The crime here involves a defendant using property entrusted to them in a way they know violates their duties and causes a substantial risk of loss to the owner.
White-collar crimes often involve breaking a businessperson’s trust with their clients, their associates, or the public.
Examples of White-Collar Crime
Examples of white-collar crime might include:
- An employee using the company credit card for an unauthorized personal purchase;
- A venue owner knowingly selling event tickets to more people than they have room to hold; or
- A business associate putting client money into the associate’s personal account.
The above-listed scenarios are just a handful of examples among many possibilities. White-collar crimes can involve complex financial transactions, and the evidence in these cases is often highly detailed and technical. Because of complexities with these crimes, it is important to have a skilled white-collar crimes lawyer on your side to handle even the smallest details.
Punishments for White-Collar Crimes in Maine
Maine applies punishments to crimes depending on their class, such as Class A, B, C, D, and E. Many white-collar crimes are Class B, C, D, or E crimes.
The class and punishment for a crime depend on:
- The nature of the crime,
- The amount of money involved, and
- The defendant’s criminal history.
Additionally, the following punishments might apply to a white-collar crime in Maine:
- Class E—punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000;
- Class D—punishable by less than one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000;
- Class C—punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000; and
- Class B—punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.
A court may also order restitution (an order for the defendant to pay back money) to compensate victims for their losses. Restitution can put a significant financial burden on the defendant.
The Professional and Personal Impact of a White-Collar Crime Conviction
A conviction for a white-collar crime does not involve just legal punishments. A conviction can also have far-reaching consequences for a defendant’s career and personal life. The consequences of a conviction can last long after the legal case is over. So, addressing any charges you face right away and speaking with a skilled white-collar crimes attorney is important.
Loss of a Professional License
Many professional boards may deny a defendant a license after a criminal conviction. Under Maine law, licensing agencies may consider criminal convictions before giving someone a license. A conviction can keep a defendant from getting or keeping a license.
Employment Challenges
Many employers conduct background checks, and a criminal record could keep a defendant out of certain jobs or industries. This means that even after serving their sentence, a defendant may face suspicion from possible employers or the denial of job opportunities.
Damage to Reputation
News of an arrest or conviction can ruin a defendant’s reputation within their community and professional network. This can make rebuilding trust with clients, colleagues, or employers challenging.
Take Control of Your Future with Our Office
If you face a white-collar crime charge in Maine, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts, it’s natural to feel uncertain about what might come next. At David J. Bobrow Office of Law, LLC, we are here to provide clarity, support, and top-tier legal representation. We have years of experience and award-winning service to help you get through this challenging time.
Don’t wait to take action. Contact our office today for a confidential consultation. Call or reach out to us online now to take the first step toward putting this chapter behind you. You deserve the best defense.