Although white collar offenses are often associated with less serious penalties than violent crimes or drug charges, an individual can face severe punishment if they are conceited of a white collar offense. These offenses can involve a number of crimes, including writing bad checks, bribery, embezzlement, fraud, identity theft, conspiracy, deceptive business practices, securities fraud and internet crimes.

If you have been charged with a white collar offense in Georgetown, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. An arrest does not have to equal a conviction. The state prosecutor has the very high burden of proof to prove you committed every element of the white collar offense beyond a reasonable doubt. If the judge or jury has any doubt you committed the offense, the charges against you can possibly be reduced or even dismissed.

Georgetown White Collar Crime Lawyer

If you have been charged with allegedly committing a white collar offense in Georgetown, or any of the surrounding areas in Round Rock, Cedar Park, Leander, Taylor, Hutto, Killeen, Temple, Belton or Harker Heights, contact Price & Twine, PLLC. Hiring an experienced criminal defense attorney will significantly increase your chances of receiving reduced charges or having them dismissed altogether.

Attorneys Michael J. Price and James Twine offers zealous representation for people charged with white collar crimes. They can craft a strong defense that will maximize your chances at receiving reduced or dismissed charges.

Call Price & Twine, PLLC for a free consultation at (512) 354-1880 about your alleged white collar offense.


Georgetown White Collar Crime Information Center


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Georgetown White Collar Crimes

Generally, white collar offenses involve nonviolent acts that are associated with deceit, a breach of trust, concealment or manipulation. Some of the most common white collar offenses in Georgetown are as follows:

Forgery – Tex. Penal Code § 32.21 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they make, execute, complete, authenticate or alter a writing with the intent to defraud or harm another person. This offense can result in a Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony or felony of the third-degree conviction.

Identity Theft – Tex. Penal Code § 32.51 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they possess, obtain, transfer or use any of the following with the intent to harm or defraud another person:

  • Another person’s identifying information without their consent,
  • Identifying information of a deceased person; and/or
  • Identifying information of a person under the age of 18.

This offense can result in a state jail felony, felony of the third degree, felony of the second degree or felony of the first-degree conviction.

Money Laundering – Tex. Penal Code § 34.02 – An individual can be charged with this offense if they knowingly:

  • Conceal, possess, transfer, acquire or maintain an interest in, or transport the proceeds of criminal activity;
  • Supervise, conduct or facilitate a transaction involving the proceeds of criminal activity;
  • Invest, receive, expend, or offer to invest, expend or receive the proceeds of criminal activity or funds believed to be the proceeds of criminal activity; or
  • Finance or invest, or intend to finance or invest funds believed to be intended to further the commission of criminal activity.

This offense can result in a state jail felony, felony of the third degree, felony of the second degree or felony of the first-degree conviction.

Credit Card Fraud – Tex. Penal Code § 32.31 – An individual can be charged this offense if they:

  • Buy a credit or debit card from a person they know is not the issuer of the credit card;
  • Knowingly receive a stolen credit card with the intent to use it, sell it, or give it to another person that is not the rightful owner;
  • Knowingly receive some benefit from a credit card fraud;
  • Possess a credit or debit card with the intent to use it when they are not the rightful owner and do not have the rightful owner’s consent;
  • Possess two or more incomplete credit or debit cards that have not been issued to the alleged offender with the intent to complete the cards without the rightful owner’s consent;
  • Present a credit card or debit card with the intent to obtain some benefit from the card knowing they were not the rightful owner of the card without the consent of the rightful owner;
  • Present a credit or debit card with the intent to obtain some benefit from the card knowing the card was expired, revoked or canceled;
  • Sell a credit or debit card and are not the issuer of the card;
  • Steal a credit or debit card;
  • Use a credit or debit card for their own benefit that the rightful cardholder is financially unable to pay; and/or
  • Use a fake credit or debit card or fake credit or debit card number with the intent to obtain some benefit.

This offense can result in a state jail felony or a felony of the third-degree conviction.

Insurance Fraud – Tex. Penal Code § 35.02 – An individual can be charged with this offense if, with the intent to defraud or deceive an insurer, they commit some act in order to support of a claim for payment under an insurance policy. This offense is punishable as any offense, ranging from a class C misdemeanor to a felony of the first degree.


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White Collar Crime Penalties in Georgetown

Penalties to white collar offenses in Georgetown are defined in Chapter 12 of the Texas Penal Code. The basic statutory penalties for white collar offenses are defined below, but they can result in greater punishments, depending on the type and degree of offense committed, whether the offense was committed against an older person, whether they have any previous criminal history, how many people were affected by the commission of the offense, and the value stolen or used during the commission of the offense.

  • A class C misdemeanor white collar conviction can result in a fine up to $500.
  • A class B misdemeanor white collar conviction can result in a jail sentence up to 180 days and/or a fine up to $2,000.
  • A class A misdemeanor white collar crime conviction can result in a jail sentence up to one year and/or a fine up to $4,000.
  • A state jail felony white collar conviction can result in a jail sentence ranging from 180 days to two years and/or a fine up to $10,000.
  • A felony of the third-degree white collar conviction can result in a prison sentence ranging from two to ten years and/or a fine up to $10,000.
  • A felony of the second-degree white collar conviction is punishable by a prison sentence ranging from two to 20 years and/or a fine up to $10,000.
  • A felony of the first-degree white collar conviction is punishable by a prison sentence ranging from five to 99 years or life imprisonment and/or a fine up to $10,000.

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Federal White Collar Crime Offenses

White collar crimes can be prosecuted as both state offenses and federal crimes. Some of the most notorious white-collar offenses are defined below.

Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) – 18 United States Code §§ 1961-1968 – This is a federal law that was enacted to punish an individual or group of individuals committing two criminal acts associated with racketeering activity during a ten year period.

Mail Fraud – 18 USC § 1341 – This federal offense involves a scheme to defraud another person of money or property through the use of the United States Postal Service (USPS) or a private mail carrier, such as UPS or Fed Ex.

Wire Fraud – This federal white collar crime typically involves any type of fraud that crosses state lines through the use of a wire, including the internet, radio or telephones. This offense is generally very broad and can be easy for the prosecutor to prove their case against the alleged offender.

Bankruptcy Fraud – This federal white collar crime generally occurs if an individual hides assets or other information while involved in a federal bankruptcy action.

Securities Fraud or Insider Trading – This federal white collar crime usually can occur when a securities agency or company fails to disclose all of their activities to investors or analysts.

Ponzi Schemes – These federal scams typically occur when an investment manager takes money from new investors to pay old investors, as opposed to investing the money as promised and keeps portions of the money for himself.

Mortgage fraud is also a crime that may be federally prosecuted as wire fraud, bank fraud, and/or mail fraud.


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Resources for White Collar Crime in Georgetown

Texas Penal Code – Fraud – White collar offenses and penalties for a white collar conviction are defined in Chapter 32 of Title 7 of the Texas Penal Code, such as  forgery, writing bad checks (hot checks), credit card fraud, and identity theft.

Texas Attorney General – Frauds and Scams – This link is to the Texas Attorney General’s website on consumer frauds and scams throughout Texas, which provides information on the most common scams in Texas, how to avoid common scams, and what to do if you are a victim of a fraud or scam.

The FBI White Collar Crime Division – The Federal Bureau of Investigation White Collar Crime Division’s website defines various white collar crime scams, provides information on how to avoid becoming a victim of white collar crime, and describes current white collar programs and related information.

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission – The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is a federal government agency that seeks to protect investors from white collar offenses and is responsible for regulating the nation’s financial markets.


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Georgetown White Collar Crime Lawyer | Williamson County, TX

Texas white collar crimes are complex. Thankfully, you have options if you’ve been accused or arrested for any type of deceptive crime. Begin by hiring Price & Twine, PLLC for skilled legal defense. Attorneys Michael Price and James Twine can analyze your case and formulate a strong defense to protect your future.

Contact Price & Twine, PLLC at (512) 354-1880 for a consultation about your white collar crime charges throughout Williamson County and Bell County in Texas.


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