Consequences of an Aggravated White Collar Crime
White-collar crimes in Florida generally involve some type of fraud or other nonviolent criminal actions aimed at financial gain. What, then, is an “aggravated” white-collar crime under Florida law? Our Tampa white collar criminal defense attorneys can explain this term in more detail below, and we can begin working with you on your defense if you are facing any type of white-collar crime charges in the state.
What is Aggravated White Collar Crime?
Chapter 775 of the Florida Statutes defines both white-collar crime and aggravated white-collar crime. According to the Florida Statutes, “aggravated white collar crime” is a term that “means engaging in at least two white collar crimes that have the same or similar intents, results, accomplices, victims, or methods of commission, or that are otherwise interrelated by distinguishing characteristics and are not isolated incidents.”
In other words, if you commit two separate offenses that are understood to be white-collar crimes under the Florida Statutes, and those two offenses are connected or interrelated in some way, then you will face more serious penalties.
Examples of Aggravated White Collar Crime
Aggravated white-collar crime can take many different forms, depending on the circumstances. The following are just some examples of alleged actions that may result in multiple white-collar offense charges that amount to aggravated white-collar crime:
- Use of a computer to commit a theft offense;
- Financial elder abuse that involves bank fraud or check fraud;
- Identity theft by electronic means; or
- Counterfeiting a person’s credit card and using it to make fraudulent online purchases.
These are all multiple felony offenses that are likely to result in a term of incarceration in the event of a conviction, in addition to the requirement of paying restitution to victims. According to the Florida Statutes, in addition to serving any terms of the sentence upon conviction, “a person convicted of an aggravated white collar crime . . . is liable for all court costs and shall pay restitution to each victim of the crime, regardless of whether the victim is named in the information or indictment.”
Enhanced Penalties for Aggravated White Collar Crime
When aggravated white-collar crime occurs, it will be charged as a felony of the first degree if any of the following are true of the alleged offenses under Section 775.0844(5) of the Florida Statutes:
- Victimizes 10 or more elderly persons;
- Victimizes 10 or more veterans;
- Victimizes 20 or more persons; or
- Victimizes the States of Florida, any state agency, any of the state’s political subdivisions, or any agency of the state’s political subdivisions.
To be clear, when any of the above are true of an “aggravated white collar crime,” you will face penalties for a felony of the first degree in the event you are convicted.
Contact Our Tampa White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyers Today
Are you currently facing criminal charges for multiple offenses that amount to aggravated white collar crime under the Florida Statutes? Regardless of whether you are facing a single felony offense or multiple felony offenses for white-collar crime, it is critical to seek legal assistance with your defense as soon as possible. One of the experienced Tampa white collar criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Daniel J. Fernandez, P.A. can discuss your case with you today and can begin working with you on your defense.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0775/Sections/0775.0844.html
