If you are facing a worst-case scenario and have to go to trial, a skilled white-collar criminal defense attorney should examine a variety of defenses. Duress is a possible defense. According to Black's Law Dictionary, duress is "a threat
of harm made to compel a person to do something against his or her will or judgment."
There are also defenses and defensive strategies specific to white-collar crime. Here are a couple of examples:
Entrapment is a common defense
in white-collar crime cases in which law enforcement officials have coerced a defendant into committing a criminal act that he or she otherwise would not have committed.
Absence of intent is yet another common defense in white-collar
prosecutions. Because intent is an inherent part of most white-collar crimes, if your attorney can convince the prosecutors or a judge that you lacked the intent to commit a crime, a favorable outcome may be realized.
Because most white-collar crimes
fall under federal jurisdiction, you need a criminal defense attorney who understands federal criminal procedure, federal law, and federal sentencing. Besides being familiar with federal rules, your attorney has to be familiar with government strategy in a
white-collar case. In recent years, the government has made increasing use of civil enforcement tools (e.g. asset forfeiture, actions under the False Claims Act, and regulatory investigations).
If I am interviewed as part of an
internal company investigation, may I have my lawyer present?
Almost never. Remember that the company will always put its interests before yours. The company's own attorneys invariably conduct such interviews. They will give you
numerous reasons why you don't need your own counsel present, not the least of which is that the interview is privileged. They'll also intimate that you don't really have anything to worry about. However, if your company experiences even the slightest
pressure from a federal prosecutor, they will often waive that privilege and hand over the results of their internal investigation.
Of course, you don't have to participate in the interview, but refusal may result in your termination. In such
a situation, you are most definitely between a rock and a hard place. You need the experienced criminal defense attorney to help you make the decision that is best for you.
If you are under investigation for or have been charged with a white-collar
offense, first realize that you are in serious trouble and that you need help. Secondly, realize that you have to help yourself, and that one of the ways you can help yourself is to work as a team player with your attorney.
Be utterly honest with
your attorney. To be able to help you in the most effective manner, your lawyer has to know the whole story.
Also, you will have to work to help yourself. You will have assignments, tasks, and chores to carry out, as will your attorneys.
You must function as part of a team with your attorney. Whether you opt for a solo practitioner or a complete legal team of attorneys, you should first look for expert level knowledge in the area of white-collar defense. You must also determine
that your prospective white-collar defense is free of any conflicts (insist that any attorney you may engage has an internal system for determining conflicts of interest), is able to maintain confidentiality, and is willing to represent you vigorously.
You must also find someone who is willing to communicate with you in a timely and effective manner. And you must be willing to communicate with your white-collar criminal defense attorney in precisely the same way. To be able to represent you
in the most effective manner, your attorney has to know everything. For your part, you must be careful to be discreet so as not to endanger the privilege of confidentiality. If you share the details of confidential communications between you and
your counsel, you may seriously damage your case.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Be sure to shop around carefully and find the white-collar criminal defense attorney that is right for you.
If you find yourself being arrested
on a white-collar crime charge, there are some things you should avoid doing:
- Don't run. If you attempt to flee, you run the risk of injury to yourself or others. You also run the risk of a very unpleasant forceful arrest. Law
enforcement officials who have been forced to participate in a chase are more likely to be agitated and consequently draw their weapons.
- Don't explain. You can only hurt yourself by talking. Simply invoke your right to remain silent
by stating, "I'm not going to say anything until I speak to my attorney."
- Don't get overconfident. This advice includes not getting chatty or sassy. By no means interfere with the law enforcement personnel affecting the arrest. They're
just doing their job. You do yours by staying silent.
- Don't give permission to search your person, your personal effects, your car, or your house or apartment. If ordered to turn over your bag or your keys, state the following in
a firm but polite manner: "You do NOT have my permission to search." Then hand over the item. If there are witnesses nearby who overhear your statement, it may be possible for your attorney later to exclude from evidence what is found.
- Don't
look around nervously at the places you don't want them to search. Do not tip them off by looking at precisely where you don't want them to search. Also avoid gasping or sighing. Simply stare at the ground or ceiling. Refrain from answering questions
like "What is this?" or "Who does this belong to?"
- Don't resist arrest. Don't push back or knock their hands away.
- Don't try to be nice. Trying to convince them of your innocence is useless. What you say
can and will be used against you.
- Don't believe what they tell you. They can lie to you in a number of ways to get you to talk. In fact, they will exert many different forms of psychological pressure on you. Just remain silent and
wait to speak with your lawyer.
- Don't invite them inside your home. And don't step outside either. To enter your home, they must have a warrant. Don't make anything easy for them. Simply say "I'll just stay right here" or "May I please
see your warrant?" If they don't have a warrant and go away, contact your attorney immediately.
- Don't agree to secure your car or go into your home. They can follow you and conduct a warrantless search.
If you are indicted
on charges of having committed a white-collar crime, one of the biggest mistakes you can make is to start discussing your case with people other than your white collar defense team and their staff. If someone asks about your case, simply say that you
have legal representation and are not at liberty to discuss the matter.
If you do not yet have competent white-collar representation and are questioned, just say that you're in the process of finding an attorney and cannot discuss the matter.
Remember
that remaining silent is not the same as stating that you are under representation. This difference becomes especially important when you talk to law enforcement authorities. If you have not been arrested, or are not otherwise in the custody of law enforcement,
your silence can be seen as an admission of guilt. However, if you have been arrested, or are in custody, your silence cannot be used against you. The best policy in all circumstances is just to say that you have legal counsel (or are seeking it)
and cannot discuss the matter.
Among the most terrible mistakes that any white-collar crime suspect can make is to destroy what the authorities could consider evidence or ask others to somehow cover the truth. You can be completely innocent, but
you will convince the prosecutor of your guilt if you tamper with documents or tell others to obfuscate. When such behavior is revealed in court, the effects can be catastrophic.
It is important to recognize that the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
the U.S. Attorney's Office, as well as state and local law enforcement agencies, have assembled teams of investigators and prosecutors who handle these cases. To fight these charges, you need defense attorneys who have handled these cases, understand the nature
of the charges, and how to fight them.
The Law Office of Kevin Mark Wray knows the laws, rules and procedures necessary to defend clients involved with the wide range of crimes often known as white collar crimes, and Criminal Defense Attorney Kevin
Mark Wray fights to obtain the best results for his clients. Kevin Mark Wray advocates zealously, never forgetting that their most important goal is obtaining the best results for his clients, whether that means fighting procedural battles or representing
his clients before a judge or jury. Criminal Defense Attorney Kevin Mark Wray works hard for his clients, explaining his clients’ options and keeping them updated about the status of their cases.
If you or someone you love has been charged
with a white collar crime in Southeastern Pennsylvania, please contact the Law Office of Kevin Mark Wray as soon
as possible for a free consultation.
Law Office of Kevin Mark Wray
200 West Front Street
Media, PA 19063
(610) 800-5487 (mobile)
(610) 810-2999 (office)
(610) 566-1002 (fax)
This
web posting is for general information and does not contain a full legal analysis of the matters presented. It should not be construed as legal advice or relied upon as legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances. The invitation to contact
Kevin M. Wray, Esquire is not a solicitation to provide professional services and should not be construed as an availability to perform legal services in any jurisdiction in which Kevin Wray is not licensed to practice.