White Collar Crimes in Birmingham, AL

When you are facing allegations of fraud or another type of white-collar crime, you cannot afford to let the authorities intimidate you. In these cases, a conviction can mean spending time behind bars and other hefty penalties. The expert legal team at ZJP Law LLC has handled numerous complex white-collar crime cases with successful outcomes.

Our attorneys will provide robust and savvy defense that is necessary to protect your rights. We offer legal representation to both individuals and companies who are faced with legal problems that are beyond the purview of civil compliance issues.

In a white-collar crime case, there is often a substantial amount of evidence to sift through. At times, investigations continue for a long time before charges are filed. Thus, it is crucial to engage an experienced defense lawyer right from the outset. Sometimes proactive representation can also help avoid charges entirely.

Attorney Zach Peagler will provide a strong defense against a wide array of white-collar allegations, ranging from internet crimes to fraud and money laundering. Many of these violations are committed electronically, either via a computer or a smartphone. Our law office is updated on the latest technological advances in the business world, and this allows us to monitor the electronic trail to help you avoid conviction.

Many of our clients are business owners and executives who hope to keep legal issues out of the news-maintaining the good reputation and privacy of those that we represent is a top priority for us, particularly in white collar cases. We will take all necessary steps to ensure that these cases are kept out of media glare. Our lawyers are respected and well-known in both state and federal courts. Judges and prosecutors are aware that we have extensive knowledge of statutory law and a deep familiarity with the manner the law has been applied in similar past cases.

Prosecutors will not have a slam dunk case against you merely because you have been charged with a crime. When charges are made against you, our skilled legal defense team will work hard and fight them. We will review every step of the investigation undertaken by the law enforcement agency and assess anything that could be construed as evidence.

We will identify and highlight the poor investigatory methods involving circumstantial evidence and unconstitutional actions, such as unlawful search and seizures, and illegal wiretaps, which brought forth evidence that is possibly inadmissible.

We understand the limitations and defects of technology and computer-based proof. Various types of evidence, such as IP addresses, are not as reliable and powerful as prosecutors would have you think. Attorney Zach Peagler will defend you against incorrect and unreliable evidence.

The specific facts of the case will determine the strongest possible defense. We may contend that you lacked the intent to commit the alleged crime. It may not have been your intent to deprive the rightful owner of their property or money.

We may show evidence to prove that you are not responsible at all and are wrongly being accused of wrongdoing. Doing so may help us develop an alternative conjecture during the trial, including showing that someone else may have been culpable for the theft. If you were forced to commit embezzlement or fraud under coercion or duress, we might present evidence to prove that another party is responsible for the crime.

White-collar crimes in Alabama include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Insurance fraud
• Securities fraud
• Mortgage fraud
• Money laundering
• Bribery
• Extortion (blackmail)
• Embezzlement
• Credit card fraud
• Healthcare fraud
• Forgery/counterfeiting
• Tax violations
• Cybercrime and identity theft
• Public corruption
• Larceny

A majority of people find that they are being investigated by federal agencies either when the FBI or another federal investigator lands up at their doorstep, they receive a grand jury subpoena, or news from a friend or business associate that the FBI has contacted them or that they received a subpoena.

If the FBI comes calling, do not say anything, and immediately reach out to our top-notch white-collar lawyers in Alabama. People who are subpoenaed to a federal grand just fall into three classifications: targets, persons of interest, and witnesses. A target refers to "a person to whom the prosecutor or grand jury has substantial interest linking him or her to the commission of a crime" and will likely be a defendant in the case.

A subject refers to "a person whose conduct is within the scope of the grand jury's investigation." And a witness is an individual with knowledge of the facts pertaining to the investigation, but the prosecution does not believe that they engaged in the criminal act that is under investigation.

Any individual subpoenaed to a federal grand jury requires skilled legal representation to act as a link with the prosecutor. Regardless of whether you are a target, subject, or simply a witness, we can guide you every through every step of the legal process.

In Alabama, white-collar crime penalties vary significantly, depending on the offense. For instance, forgery can be a felony, while unlawful business practices are seen as a misdemeanor. Such charges often have an adverse social effect on your future and employment prospects. The white-collar crime penalties in Alabama are sorted by class, and include the following:

• Presenting a False Financial Statement
• Falsifying Business Records
• Deceptive Business Practices
• Up to six months of behind bars
• Up to $3,000 fine

• Third-Degree Forgery
• Up to one year behind bars
• Up to $6,000 fine
• Class C Felony

• Second-Degree Forgery
• Up to ten years of prison
• Up to $15,000 fine
• One year, One day mandatory minimum sentence
• Class B Felony

• Up to 20 years of behind bars
• Up to $30,000 fine
• Two-year mandatory minimum sentence

If you are facing allegations of any type of white-collar offense, it is crucial to hire a seasoned lawyer who will work hard to create a strong defense for you. The Zach Peagler Law Firm can significantly bolster your chances of a favorable result. To schedule a free initial consultation with our attorney, message us online or call us today at 205-871-9990.