White Collar Crimes

White Collar Crimes Defense in Riverside County: Protecting Your Career and Reputation

White collar crime charges in Riverside County threaten not only your freedom but also your career, professional licenses, and hard-earned reputation. Whether you are facing charges in Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Winchester, Perris, Hemet, San Jacinto, Corona, Riverside, Moreno Valley, Norco, Eastvale, Jurupa Valley, Banning, Murrieta, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Winchester, Wildomar, or French Valley, white collar convictions carry severe penalties including substantial prison time, massive fines, court-ordered restitution, and permanent damage to your professional standing. At the Law Office of Nic Cocis, we understand that white collar allegations often arise from misunderstandings, accounting errors, business disputes, or overzealous prosecution. Our mission is to provide aggressive, sophisticated defense that protects your rights, career, and future.

Understanding White Collar Crime Charges in California

White collar crimes are non-violent offenses typically motivated by financial gain and involving deceit, concealment, or violation of trust. Unlike street crimes, white collar cases often involve complex financial transactions, extensive documentation, and sophisticated forensic accounting. These cases can be prosecuted at the state level under California Penal Code provisions or at the federal level under statutes such as wire fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343), bank fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1344), and securities fraud (15 U.S.C. § 78j). Federal prosecutions are particularly serious, as they are handled by the United States Attorney's Office and involve federal agents from the FBI, IRS, and SEC.

Common white collar charges we defend against include fraud (including healthcare fraud, insurance fraud, credit card fraud, and mortgage fraud), embezzlement (California Penal Code § 503), forgery (California Penal Code § 470), identity theft (California Penal Code § 530.5), money laundering (California Penal Code § 186.10 and 18 U.S.C. § 1956), tax evasion (both state and federal), bribery (California Penal Code § 67), perjury (California Penal Code § 118), securities fraud, computer crimes and hacking (California Penal Code § 502), and elder financial abuse (California Penal Code § 368). Each of these offenses carries distinct elements, defenses, and penalties.

Severe Penalties for White Collar Convictions

The penalties for white collar crimes vary dramatically depending on whether the case is prosecuted at the state or federal level, the amount of money involved, and the defendant's prior criminal history. At the state level, many white collar offenses are "wobblers," meaning they can be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies at the prosecutor's discretion. Misdemeanor convictions typically carry up to one year in county jail, fines, and restitution. Felony convictions can result in three, four, or five years in state prison (or more for aggravated cases), fines up to $10,000 or double the amount of the fraud, and mandatory restitution to victims.

Federal white collar crimes carry even harsher penalties. Wire fraud and mail fraud each carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Bank fraud carries up to 30 years. Securities fraud under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act carries up to 25 years. Money laundering carries up to 20 years. Tax evasion carries up to five years per count. Federal sentencing guidelines often result in substantial prison terms, particularly when the amount of loss exceeds certain thresholds. Additionally, federal convictions result in supervised release (federal probation) after prison, during which strict conditions apply.

Beyond incarceration and fines, white collar convictions carry devastating collateral consequences. A conviction results in the loss of professional licenses (for attorneys, doctors, accountants, real estate agents, and financial advisors), disqualification from government contracts and employment, damage to business relationships and reputation, difficulty obtaining credit or loans, and immigration consequences for non-citizens (including deportation). For business owners and professionals, a white collar conviction can mean the end of a career built over decades.

Strategic Defense Against White Collar Charges

White collar cases are highly complex and require a defense attorney with a deep understanding of financial transactions, forensic accounting, and both state and federal criminal procedure. At the Law Office of Nic Cocis, we meticulously analyze every aspect of the prosecution's case and develop tailored defense strategies designed to protect your freedom and reputation.

Lack of Intent: Most white collar crimes require proof of specific intent to defraud or deceive. We argue that any financial discrepancies were the result of honest mistakes, negligence, or misunderstandings rather than criminal intent. Without proof of intent, the prosecution cannot secure a conviction.

Good Faith Belief: In many cases, defendants acted based on a good faith belief that their conduct was lawful. For example, a business owner may have relied on advice from accountants or attorneys, or may have genuinely believed that certain financial practices were legal. We present evidence of good faith to negate criminal liability.

Insufficient Evidence: The prosecution bears the burden of proving every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. We challenge the sufficiency of the evidence, highlighting gaps, inconsistencies, and weaknesses in the government's case. In many white collar cases, the evidence is circumstantial and subject to multiple interpretations.

Challenging Forensic Accounting: White collar prosecutions often rely heavily on forensic accounting reports prepared by government experts. We retain our own forensic accountants to review the government's analysis, identify errors, and present alternative interpretations of the financial data. Expert testimony can be decisive in undermining the prosecution's case.

Constitutional Violations: We scrutinize the investigation to identify violations of your constitutional rights. If law enforcement obtained evidence through illegal searches, violated attorney-client privilege, or coerced statements, we file motions to suppress that evidence. In federal cases, we also challenge the government's compliance with discovery obligations and grand jury procedures.

Negotiating Reduced Charges: In cases where the evidence is strong, we negotiate with prosecutors to reduce felony charges to misdemeanors, secure deferred prosecution agreements, or obtain favorable plea bargains that minimize prison time and preserve professional licenses. Our goal is always to achieve the best possible outcome given the specific facts of your case.

Why Experienced Representation Matters in Riverside County

White collar cases in Riverside County are prosecuted by specialized units within the District Attorney's Office and, in federal cases, by the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. These prosecutors are experienced, well-resourced, and aggressive. You need an attorney who can match their sophistication and tenacity.

As a dedicated Riverside County criminal defense attorney with over 25 years of experience, Nic Cocis has successfully defended clients against a wide range of white collar charges in both state and federal court. We are admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. We understand the local judiciary, the specific practices of Riverside County prosecutors, and the nuances of federal criminal procedure. Whether your case is pending at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta or in federal court in Riverside, we provide the experienced, aggressive representation you need.

We also recognize that white collar charges often arise in the context of business disputes, regulatory investigations, or civil litigation. We work closely with your civil attorneys, accountants, and other advisors to coordinate a comprehensive defense strategy that protects your interests across all fronts. Our goal is not only to defend you in criminal court but also to minimize the impact on your business, your professional reputation, and your family.

Your First Step: Immediate Consultation

If you are under investigation or have been charged with a white collar crime, time is of the essence. Do not speak to law enforcement, federal agents, or regulatory investigators without legal counsel present. Anything you say can and will be used against you. Even seemingly innocent explanations can be twisted and used as evidence of guilt.

Contact the Law Office of Nic Cocis immediately for a confidential, free consultation. We will review the details of your case, explain your rights and options, and outline a powerful defense strategy. Your career, reputation, and freedom are too important to leave to chance. Let us fight for you.

Need Legal Help? If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Riverside County, contact the Law Office of Nic Cocis today for a confidential consultation. Call (951) 400-4357 or visit our contact page.