Stanton D. Levenson, P.A. Law Offices
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Stanton D. Levenson, P.A. Law Offices

A Respected Criminal Law Firm Serving Pittsburgh And Western Pennsylvania

Stan Levenson and Amy Levenson Jones

Committed To Fighting For Clients Charged With White Collar Crimes

Nothing can bring a professional career to a screeching halt like being charged with a white collar criminal offense. The allegation itself can leave you shaken to the core and your career on unsteady ground. Just as bad, the charges can negatively impact your family, your financial standing, your reputation and your future.

At Stanton D. Levenson, P.A. Law Offices, in Pittsburgh, we are attorneys who firmly believe in helping professionals like yourself minimize the negative impact a serious criminal charge can have on their lives. With decades of experience defending clients against life-altering criminal charges, our father-daughter defense team of Stanton D. Levenson and Amy B. Levenson Jones strives to provide high-level defense services that focus on obtaining the most favorable results possible for you and your situation.

What Is A White Collar Crime In Pennsylvania?

White collar crimes can run the gamut of everything from tax fraud to embezzlement. While things like corporate crimes are often markedly different from securities fraud, these allegations typically share a few defining characteristics. In white collar cases, the government typically alleges that the offense was motivated by financial gain, committed under the pretense of valid business activities or intentionally deceitful or abusive. Some of the most common examples of white collar offenses include:

What happens if you’re charged and convicted? Even though you may have a mental image of white collar offenders enjoying lives of relative luxury, federal prison is no country club. Those who go through punishments such as long-term incarceration or fines rarely come out better for having done so. At Stanton D. Levenson, P.A. Law Offices, our goal as your legal counsel is to help you mount a strong defense against these allegations and obtain positive results in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Possible Consequences Of A White Collar Crime Conviction

Due to the sheer number of offenses that are considered white collar crimes, it can be confusing to understand the potential consequences that you face. If a conviction is made, prison time and fines are common penalties white collar offenders in Pennsylvania could be subject to, depending on whether they were convicted of a summary offense, misdemeanor or felony. For a summary offense, you could spend up to 90 days in jail and be forced to pay a $300 fine. A misdemeanor conviction can lead to a jail sentence of one to five years and fines of up to $10,000. Finally, being convicted of a felony white collar offense could cause you to be sentenced to seven to 20 years in jail and a potential fine of $25,000 or less.

What Is Considered A White Collar Crime In Pennsylvania?

A white collar crime is a financial-related offense that robs or defrauds others (individuals, businesses, the government) without the use of force or violence.

For instance, it is an example of felony theft if someone uses a firearm to rob a local business, but it is a white collar crime to run a scheme to defraud Medicare. Even though they are nonviolent, white collar offenses can lead to tens of thousands of dollars (up to a million) in fines and many years behind bars. It is crucial for Pennsylvania defendants to know what legal defense options are available when facing white collar crime charges.

What Are The Most Common Examples Of White Collar Crimes?

A pyramid scheme is a prevalent form of white collar crime. It involves paying investors with funds from new recruits rather than actual profits. Since the scheme appears so lucrative, it attracts more and more investors, causing more and more financial harm until it inevitably collapses, with the most recent investors losing everything. The deceptive nature of pyramid schemes results in aggressive efforts to secure a conviction.

Other white collar offenses include:

Do not underestimate the seriousness of your situation amid white collar crime allegations. The authorities tend to punish these offenses harshly.

Are White Collar Crimes Handled In State Or Federal Court?

It depends on who has jurisdiction and how the alleged offense played out. For instance, if it was a multistate pyramid scheme with investors from California to New York, the federal government may have jurisdiction, as it usually does when crimes cross state lines. However, if the scheme was run locally in Pennsylvania, then it may just be handled by the state court system.

Offenses such as first-degree felony embezzlement or fraud involving large amounts of money can lead to fines approaching $25,000 and up to 20 years of imprisonment. On the federal level, the consequences of a conviction can be even harsher. For example, a federal conviction for bank fraud can land you in prison for up to 30 years.

With so much at stake, it makes sense to seek help with your defense strategy from a skilled lawyer.

Finding Effective Solutions For Clients With White Collar Charges

Fighting to clear your name takes hard work and dedication. There’s no guarantee you won’t be prosecuted at both the state and federal levels for the same charges, and if you’re found guilty, your punishment might extend far beyond the penalties handed down by your judge. For instance, your employer could fire you. Or you might have to relinquish the professional licensing that lets you cultivate your career.

For experienced representation that focuses on achieving positive results, contact Stanton D. Levenson, P.A. Law Offices. Call us at 412-552-3231 or send us a message online to discuss the potentially game-changing strategy of having two generations of criminal defense attorneys fight as one on your behalf. From our offices in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, we represent clients throughout the United States.