White Collar Crimes - When to Consult a Criminal Attorney

White collar crime cases in Miami, Florida or nearby areas such as West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale often call for the services of a professional Miami criminal attorney. Attorneys are needed for a variety of reasons because legal cases - no matter how insignificant they may seem - can become complicated in a hurry. When they do, having a knowledgeable Miami criminal attorney on your side can make all the difference in your trial's outcome.

What are White Collar Crimes?

These are crimes that are mostly related to financial matters. They include but are not limited to fraud, bribery, computer crimes, embezzlement, pension fund crimes, consumer fraud, bankruptcy fraud, securities fraud, occupational crimes, RICO crimes, identity theft, financial fraud, medical crimes, and forgery. White collar crimes often go undetected because they are usually committed using computers or paperwork; however, these crimes are punishable by law and may result in prison time or restitution if the defendant is found guilty.

Those who commit such crimes are often persons of a high social status. A criminal lawyer that specializes in white collar crimes will usually represent those whose reputation and integrity are at stake in the business or political realms. In Florida, there are Miami criminal lawyers who can represent white collar defendants on a state or federal level.

How can a Miami Criminal Attorney Help?

Whether you're facing white collar crime charges or the charges have already been brought against you, a Miami criminal attorney can assist with a number of tasks. He/she can help you cope with the situation by offering viable advice and legal solutions. A criminal lawyer can help you build an effective defense strategy, and maybe even resolve the case before it ever goes to trial. A lawyer might be able to find alternatives to serving time in prison if possible with your particular case. Sometimes a plea agreement can be made in which you plead guilty to a lesser charge so the more serious charge will be dropped.

It's a good idea to consult with a Miami criminal attorney before answering any questions brought forth by investigators. Keep in mind that anything you say can harm the case, even if it seems unimportant at the time.

Use online resources to find a reliable criminal attorney. The search engines will render results based on keywords or phrases you type. For example, if you need a lawyer in West Palm Beach, Florida, you might type in "West Palm Beach criminal lawyer." To find a lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, type in "Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer" or "Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney." In the Miami area, you might type, "need a Miami criminal lawyer" or "hire Miami criminal attorney." The key is to conduct specific searches based on your needs. You might type these phrases along with a word or two about your particular charges. An example would be "Miami criminal attorney for bribery" or something similar.

Don't forget that white collar crime trials often lead to civil action lawsuits as well if victims are involved. You'll want a criminal attorney that's capable of handling any legal "curve balls" that come your way before, during and after the trial. The right Miami criminal lawyer can guide you to make the right decisions through the entire process.