Lafayette White Collar Crimes Attorney

Bold and Aggressive Lawyers Defending You in Court

Most white-collar crimes are financial crimes performed by businesspeople. If you are facing white-collar crime charges, you will need an experienced lawyer to defend you against harsh accusations. There are many types of white collar crimes charged in Louisiana, and Precht Law Firm can defend you against the following charges:

• Computer and internet crimes
• Fraud
• Embezzlement
• Forgery
• Theft
• Credit card fraud

When you work with Precht Law Firm, we will explore the details of your situation to determine the prosecutor’s potential case against you and help you plan your next steps, whether this means negotiating a plea on your behalf to lower the charges and penalties or putting up an aggressive fight in trial.

Because many white-collar investigations in Lafayette and the surrounding parishes involve long paper trails, business records, or digital data, it can be intimidating to respond on your own. We can help you understand how state charges in Lafayette Parish courts or potential federal investigations may affect your job, professional licenses, and reputation, and we will walk you through each stage so you know what to expect before you make decisions about your case.

Schedule a free consultation with Precht Law Firm online or at (337) 201-9119 
to get started on your defense.

Understanding White Collar Investigations in Lafayette

Many white-collar cases begin long before an arrest, often with a subpoena, an internal company inquiry, or contact from investigators with questions about financial records. During this phase, what you say and what you provide can have a major impact on how a case is built, so it is wise to have guidance before speaking with law enforcement or compliance officers. We can help you evaluate whether you are being treated as a witness, a subject, or a potential target and explain how that affects your level of risk in Louisiana proceedings.

In Lafayette, investigations might involve local agencies, state authorities, or federal offices that regularly work with the courts at the Lafayette Parish Courthouse and other South Louisiana venues. We can assist you in gathering documents, preserving electronic data, and preparing for interviews so that your responses are accurate and carefully considered. When appropriate, we may communicate with prosecutors or investigators on your behalf to clarify misunderstandings, respond to concerns, and begin shaping how your position is presented.

If you learn that your business, your professional practice, or your personal finances are being reviewed, taking early action can give a white-collar crime attorney Lafayette residents trust more room to protect your interests. We can discuss the possible charges that might arise, such as fraud, embezzlement, or forgery, and outline practical next steps you can take to reduce disruption to your work and family. By approaching the investigation stage thoughtfully, you can make informed choices instead of reacting under pressure.

Embezzlement Laws in Louisiana

One common and significant white-collar crime in Louisiana is embezzlement. Embezzlement is a form of theft that involves someone who was entrusted to manage someone else’s money or property. That is, the person has legal access to another’s property or funds, but they commit embezzlement when they steal some or all of those assets.

The sentencing for this white-collar offense depends on the defendant’s prior criminal history and how much was allegedly stolen:

• Less than $750 – misdemeanor with up to 6 months in prison and a fine of up to $1,000
• $750-$5,000 – felony with up to 5 years in prison and up to $3,000 in fines
• $5,000-$25,000 – up to 10 years in prison and up to $10,000 in fines
• $25,000 or more – 5-20 years in prison and up to $50,000 in fines

Note that previous convictions could result in longer prison sentences.

If you are under investigation for embezzlement, you may first learn about it through an internal audit, a request for records, or contact from law enforcement. Acting early by getting legal guidance allows you to gather documents, avoid statements that can be misunderstood, and prepare for possible charges in the appropriate Louisiana court. We can review how the alleged loss is calculated, whether you had lawful authority to move funds, and what defenses may be available based on the evidence.

Bank Fraud

Another common white-collar crime is bank fraud, which occurs when someone knowingly executes or attempts to execute a scheme or artifice to:

• defraud a financial institution;
• obtain any of the monies, funds, credits, assets, securities, or other property owned by or under the custody or control of a financial institution by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, practices, transactions, representations, or promises.

Upon conviction, a person could face imprisonment for up to 10 years with or without hard labor and possibly be fined up to $100,000. An offender could also be ordered to make full restitution to the entity that has suffered a financial loss due to the act.

Bank fraud cases often involve complex paper and electronic records, such as loan applications, account statements, or online banking activity. We can help you evaluate how investigators are interpreting those records and whether there are alternative explanations for the transactions in question. In matters involving banks or credit unions serving Lafayette and South Louisiana, it is especially important to understand how federal and state laws may overlap so that you can respond strategically from the start of the investigation.

What Is Forgery?

Forgery is a type of white-collar crime in Louisiana that involves falsifying, using, or possessing a false document with the intention of defrauding someone.

Allegations of forgery can arise in many everyday situations, including disputes over checks, business contracts, real estate documents, and insurance forms. A person might be accused after a financial institution, title company, or employer questions a signature or notices inconsistent information. Because these accusations often come with supporting documents and witness statements, having guidance from a white collar crime attorney Lafayette professionals trust can make a significant difference in how your side of the story is presented.

How to Prove Forgery in Court

To prove forgery in court, you must hire a forensic document examiner or handwriting analyst to look at the forged documents. They must create a written report of their findings, court exhibits for the trial, and testimony. Their report must show the differences in writing -- any evidence of tremors, tracing, and other differences.

In addition to this, to prove forgery, you must be able to show:

• There was an intent to defraud the victim
• The defendant knew that the document was forged
• The defendant altered a document so that it was purported to
  • be the act of another person who did not actually authorize it in the first place, for example: using a blank check from someone’s checkbook and forging their signature
  • have been executed on a different date, at a different time or place, or in a different number sequence than when it actually was executed, for example: changing the date on a document
  • be a copy of an original document when no original exists in the first place, for example: creating a false copy of your auto insurance policy when you are actually not covered

Louisiana Forgery Laws

Forgery is a significant crime that encompasses a number of different fraudulent acts related to white-collar offenses. In Louisiana, forgery may occur under a number of circumstances involving particular kinds of documents. However, to convict an individual of forgery, the prosecutor must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant:

• altered, made, completed, executed, or authenticated any writing so that the writing claimed to:
  • be the act of another person who did not authorize that act (e.g., forging someone’s signature);
  • have been executed at a time or place or in a numbered sequence other than was in fact the case (e.g., changing the date on a will to make it seem to be the most recent); or
  • be a copy of an original when no such original existed;
• issued, transferred, registered the transfer of, passed, published, or otherwise used a writing that was forged in any of the above ways; or
• possessed a writing that was forged in any of the ways described above, with the intent to use it to defraud someone.

So, acts that count as a forgery charge must have two characteristics – they must be legally significant and must be false. Note that the prosecutor must also prove that the defendant acted with the specific intent to defraud someone. However, even if they did not succeed, the mere intent to defraud is enough to warrant a charge of forgery.

In Louisiana, forgery usually incurs a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to 10 years in prison. If the crime involves knowingly using a forged academic record, the penalties include a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to 6 months in jail. Offenses involving the making or distributing of forged insurance documents will lead to a maximum fine of $5,000 and/or up to 5 years in prison.

Contact the professionals at Precht Law Firm to schedule an appointment and learn more about Louisiana forgery laws.

Seek an Experienced Lafayette Attorney Immediately

In the face of criminal accusations, the state has many resources that will work against you. As a result, you must seek an experienced legal professional to combat your white-collar charges and ensure that you have the opportunity for a fair fight in court. Precht Law Firm is a client-focused firm that will put its years of experience and dedicated knowledge on your side to defend your rights.

Many white-collar cases in Lafayette begin with an investigation long before any formal charges are filed, which means there may be opportunities to address concerns, preserve records, and respond to subpoenas in a careful and informed way. By contacting a white collar crime lawyer Lafayette residents can turn to for guidance, you give yourself the chance to understand your options before appearing in court at the Lafayette Parish Courthouse or in any other Louisiana venue. We can discuss the specific facts of your situation, the potential consequences you are facing, and practical steps you can take right now to protect your future.

Call (337) 201-9119 or contact Precht Law Firm online to discuss your situation during a free consultation.