White Collar Crimes

As an experienced former prosecutor, Ginny Conley of the Conley Law Office, PLLC, is equipped to handle criminal defense of all felonies and misdemeanors in West Virginia, including white collar offenses charged at the state or federal level.

Types of White Collar Crime

Offenses categorized as white collar crimes are generally those that are accomplished by some means of deception, rather than force or threats of violence. Often times, white collar criminal charges are related to a person’s employment status or position of trust, such as a custodian of money, bookkeeper, treasurer or caregiver with access to a person’s finances. Embezzlement and forgery are typical examples of white collar offenses charged in these situations.

In addition, there are many types of fraud which can be charged, ranging from fraudulent and deceptive telemarketers and door-to-door salesmen, to a blossoming range of Internet fraud and related computer crime and identity theft. Business or corporate fraud often involves using questionable methods of accounting to mislead auditors or investors about the fiscal health of an organization, or engaging in self-dealing or practices such as backdating stock options. Securities fraud can include charges of insider trading, late-day trading, or pyramid schemes or “Ponzi schemes” involving stocks and commodities. Securities fraud cases are investigated and enforced in the federal courts by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) whereas other offenses may be prosecuted in either state or federal court, depending upon the specific law or laws alleged to be violated.

Complex Laws, Lengthy Investigations

In the arena of white collar crime, charges are often based on prosecutors’ interpretation of lengthy, complicated statues and complex business transactions. Whether or not the law was violated is often a highly technical question that can be argued in different ways. Intent is often a critical element of establishing guilt or innocence in the violation of a complicated statute governing financial transactions.

Cases involving white collar crime are frequently built over several months before charges are ever filed or any arrests are made. During this period, police or prosecutors may ask you questions as part of their investigation. Even if they tell you that you are not be targeted as a suspect, the police are trained experts at eliciting incriminating statements from unsuspecting individuals. It is always wise to consult an attorney before answering any questions. Also, if you bring in an attorney early enough, we may be able to prevent charges from ever being filed, or to influence what charges do get filed and be prepared to deal with them appropriately.

Experienced Litigator, Expert Investigator

As a former prosecutor and experienced criminal investigator, attorney Ginny Conley understands the strategies and tactics used by prosecutors in building white collar criminal cases. If you are under investigation in a criminal matter, our firm can help position you for the best possible outcome, or provide a strong defense in the event of an arrest and prosecution.