Brooklyn Financial Crime Lawyer

Brooklyn Financial Crime Attorney

If you are facing financial crime charges in Brooklyn, having an experienced Brooklyn financial crime lawyer is critical. Financial crimes, often referred to as white-collar crimes, include complex offenses like bank fraud, money laundering, and embezzlement. These charges can lead to severe consequences, including long prison sentences and substantial fines. A conviction can affect your family and even child custody.

With Jonathan Savella, Attorney at Law, you can challenge these charges, protect your rights, and mitigate the penalties.

What Constitutes a Financial Crime?

Financial crimes typically involve deception, fraud, or theft committed to gain a financial advantage. Unlike violent crimes, financial crimes are non-violent offenses, but they can still result in lengthy prison sentences. Financial crime charges can range from bank fraud to large-scale money laundering operations, with both state and federal law enforcement agencies involved in investigating these offenses.

Types of Financial Crimes

Some of the most common financial crimes include:

• Bank fraud. This involves fraudulent methods to obtain money, property, or assets from a financial institution. Bank fraud can occur through check fraud, loan fraud, or wire fraud.
• Money laundering. Money laundering involves the illegal process of making large amounts of money generated by a criminal activity, such as drug trafficking, appear to be earned legally. This is typically done through a series of financial transactions designed to conceal the origin of the money.
• Embezzlement. When a person entrusted with money or property misappropriates assets for personal use, they can face charges of embezzlement.
• Securities fraud. This includes insider trading, stock manipulation, or false information provided to investors to encourage the buying or selling of securities.
• Identity theft. Using someone’s personal information for financial gain is a serious crime that can lead to both state and federal charges.

The Federal vs. State Financial Crime System

Financial crimes are often prosecuted at the federal level, particularly if the alleged criminal activity crosses state lines or involves federal financial institutions. However, depending on the scope and nature of the alleged offense, financial crimes may also be prosecuted under New York state law. The penalties for financial crimes at the federal level are typically much harsher, often involving mandatory minimum prison sentences.

The Consequences of a Financial Crime Conviction

The consequences of a conviction for a financial crime can be severe. Penalties may include:

• Prison time. Financial crimes can lead to years, or even decades, behind bars, particularly in federal cases.
• Fines. Convictions for financial crimes often come with significant fines, which can be crippling for both individuals and businesses.
• Restitution. In many cases, those convicted of financial crimes may be required to pay restitution to their victims, further increasing the financial burden.
• Professional consequences. A conviction for a financial crime can destroy your professional reputation and career, particularly if you work in the finance or legal sectors.

If you are charged with a financial crime, it is essential to engage legal counsel as soon as possible. A Brooklyn financial crime lawyer can help protect not only your rights but your reputation. The legal team at Jonathan Savella, Attorney at Law, is dedicated to providing clients with a robust defense, not only exploring all possible options but taking antagonistic prosecutors to task.

Defending Against Financial Crime Charges

Defending against financial crime charges requires a nuanced approach, as these cases are typically built from extensive paper trails and complex financial transactions.

Common defenses in financial crime cases include:

• Lack of intent. Many financial crimes require proof that the defendant acted with criminal intent. If the prosecution cannot prove intent, the charges may not stand.
• Entrapment. In some cases, a defendant may have been coerced or persuaded into committing a financial crime by law enforcement agents.
• Insufficient evidence. Financial crime cases often involve large amounts of documentation. If key pieces of evidence are missing, it can weaken the prosecution’s case.

FAQs

Q: How Do You Fight Against a Financial Crime Charge?

A: Fighting financial crime charges requires a comprehensive understanding of the law and the ability to analyze complex financial transactions. The burden of proof is always on the prosecutor, who must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A financial crime defense lawyer can develop strategies to shine doubt over the prosecution’s case. This can include challenging the intent or knowledge required to commit the crime and challenging witness credibility.

Q: What Are Some Examples of Financial Crimes?

A: Some common examples of financial crimes include bank fraud, money laundering, securities fraud, identity theft, counterfeiting money, and embezzlement. These crimes typically involve the illegal acquisition or handling of money or financial assets through fraudulent or deceptive practices. In some cases, financial crimes may be committed to help fund operations that threaten national security. Terrorism would be an operation that threatens national security.

Q: How Many Years Do You Get for a Financial Crime?

A: The sentence for financial crimes can vary widely depending on the nature of the offense and whether it is prosecuted at the state or federal level. In federal cases, some financial crimes carry mandatory minimum sentences. For instance, serious cases of money laundering or fraud can result in sentences ranging from 5 to 20 years in prison or more, depending on the amount of money involved and other aggravating factors.

Q: Who Prosecutes Financial Crimes?

A: Financial crimes can be prosecuted by both state and federal authorities, depending on the scope of the offense. At the federal level, agencies such as the FBI, SEC, and IRS often conduct investigations, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office handles the prosecution. In New York, financial crimes may also be prosecuted by the state Attorney General’s Office or the local District Attorney.

A Legal Team That Can Support You

Facing financial crime charges in Brooklyn can be a daunting experience, especially when those charges come with severe penalties like lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines.

If you or a loved one has been accused of a financial crime, time is of the essence. The sooner you contact Jonathan Savella, Attorney at Law, the sooner we can begin building your defense, protecting your rights, and helping you navigate the judicial system. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, where we will review the details of your case, and provide the guidance you need.