White Collar Crimes
The Tampa criminal defense law firm of Victor Martinez, P.A. works throughout Florida helping people under investigation for white collar crime. We provide a strong, effective defense built on extensive investigation and thorough preparation. Our office assists people charged with a wide range of federal and State of Florida offenses, including:
- Wire Fraud, Lender and Mortgage Fraud, Healthcare Fraud, Insurance Fraud, Internet Fraud, Mail Fraud
- Ponzi Schemes and Pyramid Schemes
- Embezzlement, Forgery
- Bribery, Perjury, Lying to a Federal Agent
- Tax Evasion, Tax Fraud, Failure to File a Tax Return, Filing a False Tax Return
- Securities Fraud, Insider Trading, Late Day Trading, Giving or Acting on Tips, Stock Manipulation
- Accounting and Bank Fraud
White Collar Offenses Based on Complicated Laws
Most modern white collar crimes are the product of voluminous statutes and regulations developed by Congress and federal agencies. The U.S. Tax Code, for instance, is several thousand pages long, and the regulations that go along with it are many times longer. It can be nearly impossible for experts in the field, let alone the average taxpayer, to avoid technical violations of the law. Even experts can disagree over whether a particular behavior constitutes lawful tax avoidance or illegal tax evasion. Many white collar prosecutions turn on complex, technical readings of federal statutes and regulations.
Lengthy Criminal Investigations
White collar criminal investigation may go on for months or even years before any charges are filed or arrests are made. During this period, investigators may try to interview you. While you may wish to cooperate because you have nothing to hide, this is not always a good idea. Law enforcement agents are experts at getting you to incriminate yourself or make contradictory statements at different times, so that even innocent statements can be used against you and make you appear to be untruthful, untrustworthy, or guilty of a crime. Don’t help the government build a case against you.
Talk to Your Attorney, Not the Police
Be very careful with what you say to police and prosecutors, especially if they are federal or State of Florida agents. A federal law (18 U.S.C. 1001) makes it a crime to knowingly and willfully make any materially false statement to a federal or state agent in relation to any legal matter. This law is a favorite weapon of prosecutors who will take any opportunity to turn a statement you make into a violation of this law and intimidate you with you it. The better course when approached by any law enforcement officer is to say as little as possible and politely decline to answer any questions until you have had a chance to talk to your attorney.
At Victor Martinez, P.A., we take a proactive approach to white collar criminal defense, working on your defense before charges are ever filed. We conduct our own investigations, utilizing former IRS agents and other experts as necessary, so that we know as much about the case the prosecutors are trying to build as they do. Bringing our team in early can prevent an indictment from ever being handed in many instances. If charges are filed, we are ready to present a strong and effective defense. If you have received a target letter or other notice that you are under investigation for white collar crime in Florida, contact the Tampa law office of Victor Martinez, P.A.
