White collar crime LAWYER in San Diego and Vista

I am Vista white collar attorney Peter M. Liss, and I can help you if you have been accused of any kind of non-violent crime. I have personally defended many individuals who have been arrested or charged with any type of white collar crime, which may include:

As a top white collar lawyer in San Diego, I guarantee I can offer you excellent representation for a reasonable fee and I accept all major credit cards. Please call my office today to schedule a free initial consultation.

What Are White Collar Crimes?

You’ve probably heard the phrase “white collar crime,” but if you don’t know the definition, the expression can seem a little confusing. White collar crime offenses include stealing or wrongfully taking the property of another, fraudulently taking entrusted property, and defrauding someone of property, real estate, or labor by a false representation or pretense.

The phrase “white collar crime” refers to the fact that people were traditionally more likely to perform financial or computer crimes while working in an office job where they had access to sensitive data and computers. That being said, anyone of any background or class can commit a non-violent crime of this nature. While these crimes generally do not involve violence or weapons, they are still very serious, and often very complex.

Fraud Crimes in San Diego

One of the most common types of white collar crimes is fraud. There are many different types of fraud, but some of the most common include:

While fraud can be committed in many ways, but many forms of fraud are formally charged as mail, wire or securities fraud. A large percentage of these prosecutions are for insurance fraud. Any material lie or misrepresentation on an insurance claim is a felony. The insurance companies have investigators who compile the evidence and then turn it over to the District Attorney. Unfortunately, even withdrawing a false insurance claim won’t prevent criminal prosecution. In fact, the D.A. gets funding from insurance companies to prosecute these cases.

Fraud charges are often filed along with other charges including forgery, theft, conspiracy, money laundering or embezzlement. Most of these charges can be filed as either a felony or misdemeanor depending on the amount of money or property gained in the crime, whether or not the suspect has a previous conviction on his or her record, and other specifics of the crime.

Always Take White Collar Charges Seriously

While these crimes were not heavily enforced or punished in the past, police, prosecutors and law makers have been much more active in taking steps to stop these criminal activities in modern times. In fact, police and prosecutors now have special units dedicated exclusively to white collar criminal activities and computer crimes. This means when prosecutors bring up charges against someone for a white collar crime, they usually have ample evidence to support their case.

The penalties for these crimes have become increasingly severe in the last few decades and those convicted of white collar crimes will often face significant jail or prison sentences as well as mandatory restitution to the victims and heavy fines. On top of that, law makers continue to pass new legislation outlawing questionable activities conducted online or through other modern technologies. In many cases, additional prison time can be given for fraud or theft for higher amounts, depending on the exact offenses charged. If you are facing any charges of this type, it is critical you contact a San Diego white collar crime defense attorney with experience handling these types of crimes.

Computer Crime Charges

Thanks to the computerization of our modern society and easy access to sensitive data via the internet, white collar crimes no longer have to be performed in the office and these activities are now performed by people of all backgrounds and classes and from any location.

Computer crimes can range from simply using someone else’s device without their permission all the way to child molestation. Whether you have been accused of an internet sex crime or stalking someone online though, it is important to work with a white collar lawyer in order to ensure your rights are protected. If the police perform an illegal search of your cell phone, computer or other device, it is possible this evidence could be inadmissible against you, but you’ll need an attorney to ensure that happens.

It’s worth mentioning that the San Diego District Attorney has an entire unit dedicated to investigating computer crimes, identity theft and financial crimes, meaning that if you are charged with one of these offenses, there is likely already quite a bit of evidence against you.

Financial and Theft Crimes

Some of the most common forms of white collar crimes are those involving the theft of money or property through non-violent methods such as fraud, insider trading, blackmail or embezzlement as well as other related crimes such as money laundering, identity theft or forgery. In cases where one person has been deprived of property through fraud or other means, petty or grand theft charges will likely be charged as well, based on the value of the property.

While petty theft is always a misdemeanor, grand theft can be a misdemeanor or a felony and your choice of attorney can often mean the difference between the two. Aside from prison or jail time, these crimes will generally also require you to pay restitution to the victim.

Consequences of White Collar Convictions

The penalties you can face for white collar charges will depend on the specific offense you have been accused of. In some circumstances, a lawyer can get smaller financial crimes reduced to misdemeanors, which are more likely to result in probation, while other offenses are likely to end in lengthy prison terms lasting decades. Even if you avoid incarceration altogether though, it is important to recognize that having a criminal conviction on your record can still hurt your future by making it much more difficult to get a job.

The monetary consequences of white collar crimes can be devastating. Aside from the penalties associated with the crime itself, sentences often require repayment to any victims. Even corporations can be charged with crimes and the financial penalties are sometimes enough to bankrupt the whole business.

If you have been accused of a crime of this nature, it is imperative that you contact a skilled Vista white collar defense attorney as soon as possible. Peter M. Liss can help protect your rights during the investigation and prosecution of the offense.

How a San Diego White Collar Attorney Can Help

As your white collar crime lawyer, I can help by advising you about what to do at every stage of the investigation and criminal process and updating you about the status of your case. During the entire course of your criminal proceedings, I will advocate on your behalf, argue for lower bail, make court motions that may benefit you, gather evidence on your behalf, interview police and witnesses to build your defense, seek a reduction of charges against you and seek either alternative sentencing or the minimum sentence available. I will work with you to evaluate the best possible legal defenses for your case, which may include insufficient evidence, lack of intent, innocence, mistaken identity and more. I will then present this defense on your behalf when negotiating for a plea bargain or fighting the charges against you in court.

Benefits I Offer My Clients

Because I know that the law doesn’t just work 9 to 5, even in cases involving white collar crimes, I offer 24-hour-a-day, live, in-person answering and prompt responses to all client questions. As a University of California, Berkeley Law School graduate, I have over 35 years of experience handling a wide variety of criminal cases and have tried over 100 cases in front of juries. I handle all cases personally from start to finish. Despite having top ratings on Yelp, Google and Avvo, I offer affordable rates and accept all major credit cards because I believe everyone deserves the best possible representation. You can schedule a free initial consultation at my office, located just across the street from the Vista courthouse and jail by calling the number below.

I have personally defended many people charged with white collar offenses, including insurance fraud, workers’ compensation fraud, real estate fraud, embezzlement, grand theft, burglary, internet fraud, forgery, and numerous other fraud and theft – related charges in Vista and greater San Diego County. Many of these cases have involved large amounts of money or valuable items. If you or someone in your family has been arrested on one of these charges, please call me to learn how I can help you. I consider all criminal matters urgent and will respond immediately.