Were you charged with a white collar crime in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma? Call Overman Legal Group for a free consultation at (405) 605-6718. Our Oklahoma City white collar crimes lawyers can defend you throughout the legal process and work toward the most favorable outcome possible as the law permits.
We are an award-winning criminal defense law firm in Oklahoma City that will make your case a top priority if you decide to hire us. Our legal team has more than 40 years of combined experience and fully comprehends whatโs at stake for you and your future. We wonโt cut any corners when it comes to giving you the best possible defense.
Give us a call today or reach out online for more information. During your free consultation, weโll be able to advise you on your best course of action.
Why Hire Overman Legal Group if Iโm Facing White Collar Crime Charges in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma?
Prosecutors and investigators in white collar cases often spend months building a case before you even know charges are coming. That can put you at a disadvantage initially, making it especially important to have an experienced Oklahoma City criminal defense lawyer on your side from the beginning. Overman Legal Group can help.
A few reasons to consider hiring our trial attorneys for your defense in Oklahoma City, OK, include:
- One of our attorneys, Clayburn Curtis, received the prestigious Clarence Darrow Award, given each year to the top criminal defense attorney in Oklahoma
- Attorney Tyler Box is a former district attorney, giving our team firsthand knowledge of how prosecutors build their cases and where those cases are vulnerable
- We have extensive trial experience and are fully prepared to take any case to verdict anywhere in Oklahoma
- Our lawyers have been recognized by Super Lawyers and other legal organizations for their work in criminal defense
Reach out to our Oklahoma City criminal defense attorneys today to get started with a free case review. Weโre ready to start fighting for your rights immediately.
A Brief Overview of White Collar Crime Law in Oklahoma
White collar crimes are nonviolent offenses that are typically financial in nature. They typically involve some form of deception to obtain money or another type of advantage. Oklahoma prosecutes these offenses aggressively at the state level, and many cases also draw federal attention depending on the scope of the alleged conduct.
Under Oklahoma law, several different statutes cover the most commonly charged white collar offenses. Some of the charges our attorneys handle include:
- Embezzlement, which involves the misuse of funds or property that were legally entrusted to someone’s care (21 O.S. ยง 1451)
- Fraud, which covers a wide range of schemes involving intentional deception for financial gain (21 O.S. ยง 1541.1 and ยง 1541.2)
- Money laundering, which involves concealing or transferring funds that originate from illegal activity (21 O.S. ยง 2001)
- Identity theft, which involves using someone else’s personal information to commit fraud or gain financial benefits (21 O.S. ยง 1533.1)
- Bribery, forgery, insurance fraud, and computer crimes under the Oklahoma Computer Crimes Act
These charges can apply to individuals as well as businesses and corporations. In some cases, employees who had no idea their work was contributing to an illegal operation can still find themselves facing serious accusations.
State vs. Federal Prosecution in an Oklahoma City White Collar Crime Case
White collar crime cases in Oklahoma can be prosecuted at either the state or federal level. The Oklahoma District Attorney’s office handles state-level cases, while federal charges are brought by United States Attorneys and investigated by agencies like the FBI and IRS.
Federal prosecution becomes more likely when the alleged conduct crosses state lines and involves large dollar amounts. Federal penalties tend to be significantly harsher than state penalties, and federal sentencing guidelines leave judges with less flexibility.
If your case involves both state and federal exposure, having an experienced defense team on your side becomes that much more important.
What Are the Potential Penalties for a White Collar Crime Conviction in Oklahoma?
The penalties for white collar crimes in Oklahoma depend on the specific offense, the dollar amount involved, and whether you are being charged at the state or federal level. Since many white collar offenses are tied to financial thresholds, the consequences escalate as the alleged dollar amount increases.
Embezzlement under Oklahoma law is a clear example of how this works:
- Property valued under $1,000: misdemeanor, up to one year in county jail, fine of up to $1,000
- Property valued between $1,000 and $2,499: felony, up to two years in prison, fine of up to $5,000
- Property valued between $2,500 and $14,999: felony, up to five years in prison, fine of up to $5,000
- Property valued at $15,000 or more: felony, up to eight years in prison, fine of up to $10,000
The court may also order restitution of up to three times the value of the property taken. Oklahoma law allows prosecutors to aggregate smaller amounts into a single charge when those amounts are part of a recurring pattern or ongoing scheme, which means what might look like a series of minor incidents can quickly become one large felony.
Collateral Consequences
The fallout from a white collar crime conviction reaches well beyond what a judge hands down in the courtroom. These secondary consequences can reshape your entire life, and many of them are permanent:
- Difficulty finding employment and housing
- Denial of professional licenses in fields like accounting and law
- Loss of your right to own firearms and temporary loss of voting rights
- Potential immigration consequences, including deportation, for non-U.S. citizens
- Lasting damage to your personal and professional reputation that can follow you for years
Having a qualified criminal defense attorney in Oklahoma City on your side can make a real difference in how your case ultimately plays out. Contact our law firm today for a free consultation.
What Defenses Can I Raise Against White Collar Crime Charges in Oklahoma City, OK?
The prosecution carries the burden of proving your guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt,” which is the highest standard of proof in the legal system. To convict you, they must present compelling evidence supporting every element of the charges. That standard leaves room for several effective defense strategies.
At the start of your case, we will review the evidence and investigate the circumstances to determine the best available defense. Some of the most common approaches in white collar cases include:
- Lack of criminal intent: Most white collar offenses require proof that you acted knowingly and with the specific purpose of committing fraud or deception.
- Entrapment: If law enforcement pressured or induced you into committing a crime that you would not have committed on your own, you may have a valid entrapment defense.
- Fourth Amendment and other constitutional rights violations: The police must follow proper procedures when searching your property and seizing evidence, as well as in other interactions.
- Duress or coercion: If you were threatened or forced into participating in illegal activity, that may serve as a defense against the charges.
- Insufficient evidence against you: We may be able to argue that the prosecution failed to meet its burden of proof.
Other defenses may apply depending on the unique facts of your situation. Many white collar defenses also require you to bring supporting evidence of your own, which our lawyers can collect on your behalf as we investigate your case.
How Can a White Collar Crimes Lawyer in Oklahoma City Help With My Case?
White collar cases are unlike most other criminal matters. They involve massive amounts of financial documentation, complex accounting records, and digital evidence that the average person is not equipped to sort through alone. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help at every stage of the process.
If you hire our Oklahoma City criminal defense attorneys to handle your white collar crime case, we can:
- Step in during the investigation stage to protect your rights before charges are ever filed
- Advise you on how to respond to subpoenas and interview requests during discovery
- Analyze the prosecution’s financial evidence and identify weaknesses in their case
- Work with forensic accountants and other experts to challenge the state’s interpretation of the records
- Negotiate with prosecutors for a favorable outcome when possible
- Prepare your case for trial and fight for an acquittal if a fair resolution cannot be reached
Call our law offices in Oklahoma City today to learn more about how we can help. Your initial consultation is free of charge.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Oklahoma City White Collar Crimes Lawyers
Are you facing white collar crime charges in Oklahoma City, OK? The stakes are high, as a conviction could jeopardize your future freedoms dramatically. However, youโre still innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, so donโt lose hope about whatโs to come just yet.
At Overman Legal Group, our Oklahoma City white collar crimes attorneys have 40 years of combined experience and are confident we can help you with your case, too. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what you should do next.
