Denton County White Collar Crime Defense Lawyers

Criminal Attorneys for Money Laundering and Computer Crime Charges in Denton, TX

When a person is accused of violating the law, they may face criminal charges. While some crimes are considered by the general public to be more serious than others, law enforcement officials investigate and prosecute many different types of offenses, and even non-violent crimes can result in severe punishments. White collar crimes are one category of offense that may lead to serious criminal charges in both state and federal courts. Anyone who has been accused of these types of offenses should immediately obtain legal representation and determine the best steps to take when responding to law enforcement and defending against a conviction.

White collar crimes are also known as "financial crimes," and they often involve some form of fraud. In these cases, a person may be accused of using deception or misrepresentation in order to illegally obtain money or financial gain. This may take the form of insurance fraud, credit card fraud, securities fraud, deceptive business practices, tax evasion, embezzlement, or forgery. In some cases, a person may also be accused of money laundering.

Because modern financial information is often processed or transmitted using computer systems, white collar criminal charges may also lead to accusations of computer or internet crimes. These offenses often involve the alleged theft of personal or financial information, and they could include claims of unauthorized access of computer systems (commonly known as "hacking"), the transmission of malware or computer viruses, or identity theft.

Since alleged financial crimes may involve interstate or international commerce, they may be investigated by federal agencies such as the FBI or SEC, and they could lead to federal charges. Because of the serious nature of these offenses, you need an experienced defense lawyer on your side. The Crowder Law Firm, P.C. has successfully represented clients in criminal cases for over 20 years, and we have obtained over 300 acquittals and not guilty verdicts. We are prepared to provide you with the defense you need against allegations of white collar crimes.

A person may face charges of money laundering if it is believed that they attempted to conceal the source of money obtained through illegal means. Money laundering often involves funds obtained through drug crimes, such as the manufacture or distribution of controlled substances, and these funds are then funneled through another type of business to make it appear as if the money was obtained legally.

Under the Texas Penal Code, money laundering charges may also apply even if deceptive practices were not used to make money appear legitimate. Any knowing involvement with money obtained through criminal activity may be considered money laundering. This may include facilitating illegal transactions, possessing or transporting money gained illegally, or receiving a payment of money that was known to be the proceeds of illegal activity.

The penalties for money laundering will depend on the amount of funds involved:

• $2,500 - $30,000: State jail felony, punishable by 180 days to two years in a state jail
• $30,000 - $150,000: Third-degree felony, punishable by 2-10 years imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• $150,000 - $300,000: Second-degree felony, punishable by 2-20 years imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
• $300,000 or more: First-degree felony, punishable by 5-99 years imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice