In Florida, crimes are white-collar if they involve non-violent events committed for monetary gain. Scams are one of the most famous examples. A scam involves someone misleading an individual to gain money or a service.
Here is more on the consequences of fraud and other white-collar crimes in the state.
The penalties
The penalty for the crime depends on how severe it was and how much money the individual stole. However, a lot of these cases are misdemeanors. For example, someone accused of first-degree misdemeanors will face up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $1,000. Meanwhile, second-degree misdemeanors will only bring 60 days or less in jail and a fine of up to $500.
The state’s stance
Florida takes a strong stance against white-collar crimes. One example of this is the White Collar Crime Victim Protections Act. This act protects victims by enhancing the sanctions imposed for fraud and helping people prosecute white-collar criminals. The state Attorney General’s office is also a strict enforcer of rules preventing white-collar crimes.
Defense strategies
The first thing the defense team will do is see what evidence is in the prosecution’s toolkit. Then, the team will examine all of the aspects of the case. While going through the evidence, they will look for any weak point or evidence the defense can use in their favor. A successful defense case can reframe the crime as a misunderstanding.
Anyone charged with a white-collar crime in Florida needs to proceed with caution. If their defense is not handled correctly, they could end up buried under a mountain of penalties.