Have you been accused of a white collar crime in Polk County, Florida? These offenses can carry steep penalties, including jail time, heavy fines, and long-term damage to your career and reputation. Get a strong legal defense from someone who knows how to fight back when you reach out to Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law, by calling (863) 688-4606.
Our criminal defense team has years of experience protecting the rights of people accused of crimes throughout Florida. We understand how prosecutors approach these cases and how to build an aggressive defense that works. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation with a Polk County white collar crimes lawyer.
How Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law, Can Help With a White Collar Crime Charge in Polk County, FL
At Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law, we’ve spent decades defending clients in Polk County criminal courts. We know the law, the local prosecutors, and how to build strong cases for clients facing serious charges.
White collar crimes don’t always involve violence, but that doesn’t mean they’re taken lightly under Florida law. In fact, many of these charges are felonies and can lead to years in prison if you’re convicted. Even worse, the government has almost unlimited resources to investigate and prosecute your case.
When you hire a trusted Polk County white collar crimes attorney, we can:
- Conduct an independent investigation into the accusations
- Protect your rights during interviews and questioning
- Review all financial documents and forensic evidence
- File legal motions to suppress improperly obtained evidence
- Challenge the credibility of government witnesses
- Negotiate with prosecutors for reduced charges or dismissal
- Take your case to trial if that’s what it takes to protect you
Don’t wait until it’s too late. If you’ve been arrested or believe you’re under investigation, contact us right away in Polk County, FL.
What Is Considered a White Collar Crime in Florida?
White collar crimes usually involve some type of financial deception, fraud, or abuse of trust. These offenses often occur in business, government, or professional settings. Even though they’re nonviolent, they’re aggressively prosecuted at both the state and federal levels.
Common examples of white collar crimes in Florida include:
- Credit card fraud
- Insurance fraud
- Healthcare fraud
- Mortgage fraud
- Embezzlement
- Bribery
- Forgery
- Identity theft
- Tax evasion
- Securities fraud
- Wire fraud and mail fraud
- Money laundering
- Racketeering (RICO)
Some charges, like Medicare fraud or tax crimes, may also involve federal agencies such as the FBI, IRS, or the Department of Justice. These agencies can spend months or years building their cases before making an arrest. If you’re contacted by investigators, do not speak to them without an attorney present.
Penalties for White Collar Crimes in Polk County, Florida
Florida law doesn’t go easy on white collar crime defendants. Many of these charges are classified as felonies, even for first-time offenders. The penalties will depend on the nature of the offense, the amount of money involved, and whether there was a pattern of criminal behavior.
By default, the penalties might look like the following:
- Third-degree felony: Up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine
- Second-degree felony: Up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine
- First-degree felony: Up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine
If the offense involved a government agency, vulnerable victims (like the elderly), or a large financial scheme, the penalties could be enhanced even further.
Florida also has something called the White Collar Crime Victim Protection Act, which increases penalties for repeat offenders and people involved in “aggravated white collar crimes.”
Collateral Consequences of a White Collar Crime Conviction in Florida
If you’re convicted of a white collar crime in Florida, the penalties extend well beyond fines and jail or prison time. Even after completing your sentence, the consequences can follow you for years and affect nearly every part of your life.
Here are some of the most common collateral consequences of a white collar conviction in Polk County:
- Difficulty finding employment: Many employers conduct background checks. A conviction for fraud, embezzlement, or other financial crimes can make it difficult to get hired, especially in roles involving money or sensitive data.
- Loss of professional licenses: If you work in a licensed profession such as accounting, healthcare, law, or real estate, a conviction may result in suspension or permanent revocation of your license.
- Immigration consequences: Non-citizens may face removal proceedings, lose immigration status, or become ineligible for naturalization if convicted of crimes involving dishonesty or fraud.
- Damage to your reputation: A conviction can harm both your personal and professional relationships. It may affect your ability to maintain client trust, secure partnerships, or engage in your community.
- Loss of civil rights: Felony convictions in Florida can result in the loss of voting rights or the right to own and possess firearms until your civil rights are restored.
- Barriers to housing and credit: Criminal records can make it more difficult to rent a home or qualify for loans and other financial services.
Some of these consequences occur automatically after a conviction. Others depend on the specific charges, your record, or whether the offense is eligible for sealing or expungement.
Possible Defenses to White Collar Crime Allegations in Polk County
Just because you’ve been charged does not mean you’re guilty. Prosecutors must prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt, and that’s often a steep hill to climb in financial crime cases. Our job is to raise doubts and challenge the government’s version of events.
Some common defenses include:
- Lack of intent: Many white collar crimes require proof that you acted knowingly or willfully. If you made an honest mistake or acted without the intent to deceive, you may have a viable defense.
- Insufficient evidence: These cases often involve complex financial records, emails, and witness testimony. We’ll scrutinize every piece of evidence for flaws or gaps.
- Entrapment: If law enforcement induced you to commit a crime you otherwise wouldn’t have, this may be a valid defense.
- Mistaken identity or false accusations: In some cases, someone else may have committed the crime or set you up to take the blame.
- Illegal search or seizure: If investigators violated your constitutional rights during the investigation, we can fight to suppress key evidence.
Every white collar case is unique. We’ll examine your specific facts and develop a tailored defense strategy that protects your rights and future.
What Should I Do if I’m Under Investigation for a White Collar Crime?
If you suspect you’re being investigated, or if you’ve been arrested or contacted by law enforcement, the best thing you can do is speak with a lawyer immediately.
Here’s why that matters:
- Investigators may try to get you to talk, hoping you’ll incriminate yourself
- Speaking to police without an attorney present can hurt your case later
- The government is likely already building evidence against you
- A lawyer can intervene early, sometimes stopping charges from being filed
Even if you believe you did nothing wrong, you should take any investigation seriously. White collar cases are often built on complex documents and communication records. You may not even know you’re being targeted until it’s too late.
The sooner you hire a lawyer, the better your chances of protecting yourself.
Get Help From a Polk County White Collar Crimes Attorney Today
Whether you’re under investigation or already facing charges in Polk County, Florida, now is the time to take control of your defense. A conviction could follow you for the rest of your life. However, with the right legal team, you can protect your future.
Thomas C. Grajek, Attorney At Law, has experience defending clients across Polk County. Our Polk County white collar crimes lawyers are ready to review your case, explain your options, and help you build a solid defense.
Contact our office today to learn how we can help you. The sooner you call, the more we can do to help.