This is the next post in my series on the handling of white collar crime in Austin, Texas. My last article discussed defending against charges of theft or embezzlement. If you or a loved one have been arrested for such an offense then it is important to understand that you have options. It is important that you contact an experienced criminal defense lawyer, as soon as possible, to assist you. In this article I will discuss issues which arrive in cases that involve allegations of complex financial fraud. If you require assistance then call my office today to speak with a lawyer.
Austin defendants may require an expert witness for matters involving allegations of financial fraud
Cases which involve complex financial crimes can involve conduct which spans several years. This conduct can sometimes involve dozens, if not hundreds, of parties as well as thousands of transactions. In such matters, it can be difficult for jurors to view all of the various transactions in a way that makes sense. The prosecution will have experts who will help them analyze the financial records; it is often crucial for the defense to also have experts to level the playing field. Such experts are often forensic accountants or individuals who have extensive experience in a given industry. These professionals will review all of the relevant records and present their opinions to the jury as to whether the transactions may be part of something legitimate or if they appear to constitute an illegal scheme.
The majority of potential jurors in a criminal case will not be able to understand complicated financial documents without assistance. For example, a forensic accountant could be hired to review financial records to determine whether a series of transactions which the prosecutors consider to be fraudulent could, in fact, be part of the normal course of business. The term “forensic” refers to the expert’s qualifications and experience in presenting evidence in court; having a well-qualified expert to help formulate and present a defense is often critical in white-collar cases. It is important to understand that the nature of an expert’s analysis would always depend on the specific facts of the case.
Austin residents may face federal charges for financial crimes which cross state lines
If the alleged conduct violated Title 18 of the U.S. Criminal Code, or any number of federal statutes regulating financial transactions, then a defendant may find themselves facing federal charges. This means that an accused would find themselves being prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice, would have to appear in a United States District Court, and would potentially be subject to the Federal Sentencing Guidelines if convicted. Not all attorneys are licensed to appear in Federal Court. If you are facing such charges then you must retain counsel who is able to handle such matters.
I have been licensed since 1995 and am board certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization as a specialist in criminal law and my office is ready to assist you. I am also licensed to handle federal matters. Contact my office today. Our firm also serves the cities of Rollingwood, Round Rock, Elgin, Jonestown, Manor, Bee Cave, Lago Vista, Sunset Valley, Lakeway, Creedmoor, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, and San Marcos, Texas.