White collar crime charges can dismantle everything you have built. Your career, your reputation, your financial assets, and your freedom are all at risk the moment federal agents or state prosecutors turn their attention toward you. These cases are complex, often built over years of investigation before a single charge is filed. That’s why having defense counsel with a deep understanding of both criminal law and the financial and regulatory frameworks involved is essential.
Dewey & Braud Law represents individuals and businesses facing white collar crime investigations and charges in Baton Rouge and throughout Louisiana at both the state and federal level. Our criminal defense attorneys provide aggressive, experienced defense for clients who cannot afford anything less. Call (225) 953-8330 for a free consultation today.
What Is White Collar Crime?
White collar crime is a broad category of non-violent offenses typically involving financial deception, fraud, or abuse of trust for personal or organizational gain. The term was coined to describe crimes committed by professionals and business people in the course of their occupations. Though, modern usage extends to a wide range of financially motivated criminal conduct. These offenses are prosecuted seriously at both the state and federal level, and the penalties can rival or exceed those imposed for violent crimes.
Common Types of White Collar Crimes
White collar charges in Louisiana and federal court cover a wide spectrum of conduct, including:
- Wire fraud and mail fraud
- Bank fraud and mortgage fraud
- Securities fraud and investment fraud
- Embezzlement and misappropriation of funds
- Money laundering
- Insurance fraud
- Tax evasion and tax fraud
- Identity theft and computer fraud
- Bribery and public corruption
- Healthcare fraud and Medicare or Medicaid fraud
- RICO violations involving organized financial schemes
- Ponzi schemes and investment scams
Many of these offenses carry multiple overlapping charges and federal prosecutors are skilled at stacking charges to increase sentencing exposure and pressure defendants toward plea agreements.
State vs. Federal White Collar Charges
White collar offenses may be prosecuted under Louisiana law, federal law, or, in some cases, both. Federal charges are more likely when the alleged conduct involves interstate activity, federally regulated industries such as banking or securities, or investigations led by agencies like the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation Division, the SEC, or the Department of Justice.
Federal cases are often preceded by lengthy investigations and can carry substantial penalties under federal sentencing guidelines, including prison time for people with no prior criminal history. Determining whether a case falls under state or federal jurisdiction is an important early step in evaluating the charges and planning a defense.
Penalties for White Collar Crime Convictions in Louisiana
The penalties for white collar crime convictions vary widely depending on the specific charges, the dollar amounts involved, and whether the case is prosecuted at the state or federal level.
Beyond incarceration and fines, white collar convictions carry consequences that can be more permanently damaging than the sentence itself. These may include:
- Forfeiture of assets tied to the alleged offense
- Restitution orders requiring repayment of alleged losses to victims
- Permanent loss of professional licenses in fields including law, medicine, finance, and accounting
- A federal felony record that affects housing, employment, and civil rights for the rest of your life.
State convictions for fraud and embezzlement in Louisiana can result in years of imprisonment and substantial fines depending on the value of the alleged loss.
Federal convictions often carry mandatory minimum sentences and are governed by the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which calculate recommended sentence ranges based on the amount of loss, the number of victims, and other aggravating factors.
Defense Strategies in White Collar Crime Cases
Effective white collar defense requires a strategy tailored to the specific charges, the evidence available to the prosecution, and the vulnerabilities in the government's case. Defense approaches commonly used in these cases include:
- Challenging the sufficiency and reliability of documentary and financial evidence.
- Demonstrating lack of criminal intent, which is a required element in most white collar offenses.
- Attacking the government's loss calculations, which directly affect sentencing exposure.
- Challenging the admissibility of evidence obtained through searches, wiretaps, or informants.
- Identifying due process violations or prosecutorial misconduct in the investigation.
- Negotiating with prosecutors for charge reductions, deferred prosecution agreements, or favorable plea resolutions.
- Preparing a strong trial defense when negotiated outcomes do not adequately protect the client.
In white collar cases, the government often believes its financial evidence is airtight. A white collar crimes attorney who knows how to scrutinize that evidence, challenge the methodology behind it, and present an alternative narrative may change the trajectory of a case significantly.
Our White Collar Crime Defense Approach in Louisiana
Dewey & Braud Law approaches white collar defense with the same thoroughness the government brings to its prosecutions. We review every financial record, every communication, and every piece of documentary evidence to understand the prosecution's theory and identify where it is weakest. We work with forensic accountants, financial experts, and other specialists when necessary to build the most compelling defense possible.
We also understand that white collar investigations are often prolonged processes where some of the most important decisions are made before charges are ever filed. Our goal is to be involved as early as possible, often during the investigation stage, so we can protect our clients' rights, limit their exposure, and in some cases prevent charges from being filed at all.
If you believe you may be being investigated for white collar crimes, contact Dewey & Braud Law as soon as possible. The sooner we’re involved, the more time we have to build your defense.
What to Expect During a White Collar Crime Investigation
White collar investigations typically move slowly and quietly, typically before the alleged offender even knows they’re being investigated. Law enforcement agencies gather financial records, conduct interviews of associates and employees, issue grand jury subpoenas, and build a documentary record over months or years before making an arrest or filing charges.
Warning signs that you may be under investigation include:
- Receiving a target letter from the Department of Justice
- Being contacted by federal agents
- Learning that your business records have been subpoenaed
- Noticing that associates or employees have been interviewed
- Having your financial accounts frozen or seized.
If any of these have occurred, treat it as an emergency and contact a white collar defense attorney at Dewey & Braud Law immediately.
What to Do If You Are Under Investigation for a White Collar Crime
One of the most important things you can do if you believe you are under investigation is contact an attorney before speaking with investigators. Federal agents and prosecutors are skilled at using voluntary statements, documents you voluntarily provide, and informal conversations to build their case against you. Cooperating without legal guidance is one of the most common and costly mistakes in white collar crime investigations.
You should not destroy or alter any documents, records, or communications, as doing so can result in additional obstruction charges that are sometimes more serious than the underlying investigation. Do not speak with co-workers, business partners, or others who may be involved, as those communications can complicate your defense. Treat any contact from federal or state investigators as a signal to call a lawyer immediately, regardless of how routine or informal the outreach seems.
Staying ahead is critical, and the best way to do that is by working with a white collar crime attorney with Dewey & Braud Law.
Why Choose Dewey & Braud Law as Your White Collar Crime Attorney in Baton Rouge?
White collar criminal defense requires a specific combination of legal skill, financial sophistication, and the kind of experience that comes from handling complex cases against well-resourced prosecutors. Dewey & Braud Law brings all of those resources and experience to clients facing these charges in Baton Rouge and throughout Louisiana.
We handle both state and federal white collar matters, giving our clients consistent, experienced representation regardless of which jurisdiction is pursuing the case. Our team strives on the ability to communicate directly and honestly about what our clients are facing, what the realistic range of outcomes is, and what strategy gives them the best chance of protecting their future. Once we know the extent of our clients situation, we fight hard at every stage of the process, from pre-charge investigation through trial if necessary.
A white collar charge does not have to end your career or your freedom. Contact Dewey & Braud Law at (225) 953-8330 to schedule your free consultation with a Baton Rouge white collar crime lawyer today.
