Mississippi White-Collar Crime Defense Attorneys

At the office of Smith Murphy Law, our experienced criminal defense attorneys have decades of combined legal experience and a successful track record defending clients who have been faced with a wide range of charges, including white-collar crimes.

Being charged with a white-collar crime is not something to take lightly. If you are facing white-collar criminal charges in our state, you could be looking at years in prison, massive legal fees and fines, and a permanent scar on your reputation and criminal record. To get started on your defense, reach out to our law firm directly today.

Types of White-Collar Crimes in Mississippi

White-collar crimes usually refer to non-violent financial crimes. They are called “white collar” because they are often—but not always—committed by more affluent individuals.

Examples of white-collar crimes include:

• Extortion is defined in Mississippi Code Section 97-3-82. The crime occurs when a person obtains property, reward, or another favor from another by way of threat.
• Embezzlement is a crime that occurs when the transfer of assets from one person to another occurs fraudulently. It is penalized similarly to the theft of property, although embezzlement of public funds is a felony in our state.
• Forgery is a type of fraud that involves making or adapting documents, statistics, or objects with the intent to deceive—often for financial gain. Forgery can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony depending on the amount of money that is illegally obtained.
• Offering or receiving goods of value in exchange for influencing the decisions of a public official is considered bribery—a serious offense in our state. Bribery can result in up to a decade in prison and a large fine.
• There are many types of fraud that are considered white-collar crimes, including mail fraud, insurance fraud, securities fraud, credit card fraud, and more. Fraud offenses can be charged as misdemeanor or felony offenses depending on the degree of the crime and the amount of money involved.
• Tax evasion. If someone willfully underpays their taxes by intentionally misrepresenting something, they commit tax evasion. Tax evasion is one of the most serious of crimes—this felony offense is penalized by a fine of up to $100,000 for an individual and imprisonment for up to five years.
• Identity theft. Obtaining the personal information of another person with the intent to use that information to access employment, obtain financial gain, purchase property, access personal records, or commit any other illegal activity is against the law, and can be penalized by two to 15 years in prison or/and a fine of up to $10,000.

The above list of white-collar crimes is not inclusive. If you are facing white-collar criminal charges, reach out to our law firm today.

Defenses to White-Collar Criminal Charges

The defense that will be most appropriate for your case will depend on your specific circumstances. In some cases, defending yourself against charges is not the best course of action; instead, accepting a plea deal may be advisable. With that in mind, some potential defenses to white-collar criminal charges include:

• Arguing lack of intent—for conviction of many white-collar crimes, intent, and willingness are critical components
• Arguing lack of knowledge that the crime was occurring
• Making a case for coercion or entrapment

Another defense may simply be arguing that the prosecution’s evidence is not strong enough to satisfy the burden of proof—beyond a reasonable doubt—required in your case, or that the evidence was unlawfully and unconstitutionally obtained.

Why Choose the Office of Smith Murphy Law?

If you are facing white-collar criminal charges in Mississippi, you could be looking at decades behind bars and tens of thousands of dollars worth of fines if you are convicted. Working with a skilled criminal defense attorney is an absolute must.

Some of the reasons why you should choose the office of Smith Murphy Law include:

• Relationships with prosecutors and the court. We have been working in the court system for years and have relationships with various prosecutors and court officials that serve there.
• Deep knowledge of the law and the judicial system. Working with an attorney who fully understands the law and the judicial system will be essential in navigating your defense and building the best case possible.
• Experience working on cases like yours. We have experience working on white-collar criminal cases like yours. We also recognize how much is on the line for you and know how to get results.
• Protection of your Constitutional rights. During the criminal process, it is the job of your attorney to protect your Constitutional rights and ensure that the evidence used against you was properly obtained, that your right to competent legal representation is protected, and that any witnesses called are not questioned in a way that violates your rights, amongst other things. We are fierce advocates for our clients.
• Recommendations about your case. When you are facing criminal charges, you may not understand the depth of the charges or the potential consequences. You may also have questions about the judicial process, whether you should accept a plea bargain or defend yourself, etc. Our lawyers are here to explain everything that you need to know and make recommendations about your case that are based on the evidence, your interests, and our experience and knowledge of the law.
• Advocating for the best-case outcome possible. We always work hard to secure the best-case outcome possible for our clients, whatever that may be. Each case is unique, but you can count on us to put your interests first.

Call Our Skilled White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyers Today

When you’re facing charges for a white-collar crime, the first thing that you should do is exercise your Constitutional right to legal representation. At the office of Smith Murphy Law, our Mississippi criminal defense attorneys can help. Our lawyers are responsive and accessible, and we will be by your side throughout the entire process. Reach out to our law firm by phone at 662-832-7879 today to get started. You can also reach us online or in person at your convenience.