Ryan Garry, Attorneys at Law, LLC is one of the leading white collar criminal attorney firms in Minneapolis with the Minnesota State Bar Association designating the firm as Criminal Law Specialist. In the field of white collar crimes the firm specializes in cases concerning accusations of identity theft, bribery, forgery, mail theft and embezzlement to name just a few.
Many people accused of white collar crimes underestimate the seriousness of the charges and the possible impact from both a financial perspective and the possibility of jail time. The sooner you engage with a defense attorney the more success you will have in the case. But it is important to deal with lawyers that have a proven rate of success and the ability to handle all aspects of the case.
You will require the qualified and experienced services of a white collar criminal attorney if you are being accused of crimes including, but not limited to, the following. If you are unsure of what type of crime you are being accused of, then our team will be able to help out.
The use or transfer of someone’s identity other than your own is classified as identity theft and is taken very serious by prosecutors. The seriousness of the case and potential penalty is very much dependent on the scale of the theft and becomes more determined at the federal level.
The offense gets more complicated when committed by electronic means. If you use false pretences in an email or other electronic communication with the intent to get another’s identity, you are guilty of identity theft. This offense can be sentenced up to five years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine. See https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.527; https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.52.
Federal identity theft is governed by 18 U.S.C. § 1028. It carries a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine, depending on the facts of the case and the specific part of the statute that is charged. See http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/1028.
Both State and federal laws and statutes apply to bribery cases which involve situations where another person’s decision is influenced by the promise of a reward. All parties to a bribery case have the potential to face prosecution.
Bribery is covered by a couple different statutes: Minn. Stat. §§ 609.42 (bribery in general), 609.825 (bribing an official of a contest), and 609.86 (commercial bribery).
Bribery can mean many things. Bribery means that a person “offers, gives, or promises to give, directly or indirectly, . . . any benefit, reward or consideration . . . to influence the person.” It is also mean that a person “requests, receives or agrees to receive, directly or indirectly, any such benefit, reward or consideration upon the understanding that it will have such an influence.” Bribery is a crime when the recipient is a public officer or employee and the bribery is in relation to the officer or employee’s duties. It is also a crime when the recipient is or will be a witness in front of a judge or hearing officer and the bribery is in relation to the witness’ testimony or presence at the proceeding. Finally, it is also a crime if the recipient is able to give information in a prosecution and the bribery is in relation to giving or refraining to give such information. If you are a public officer and you are convicted of this offense or the attempt of this offense, your job could be in jeopardy. The sentence for this offense is up to ten years in prison and/or up to a $20,000 fine. See https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.42.
If you bribe—by trying or agreeing to give or receive any benefit or reward—someone who referees or judges or similarly has the duty to determine the conduct or outcome of a contest, such as a race or sports game, you are subject to up to five years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine. If you were offered or promised the benefit or reward, knowing it was meant to influence the decision and you fail to report it to the offeror’s superior, you may be sentenced to up to one year in prison and/or up to a $3,000 fine. See https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.825.
Commercial bribery is similar but the context is a business. If you bribe an employee or agent, intending to influence their performance of duties or if you ask to be bribed by your employer or principal, your punishment is determined by the value of the benefit. If the value is more than $500, you are subject to up to five years in prison and/or up to a $10,000 fine. If the value is $500 or less, you are subject to up to 90 days in prison and/or up to a $1,000 fine. See https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.86.
Forgery cases can vary in seriousness and encompass everything from falsified documentation in application processes to forged identification cards. Even being in possession of forged documents can result in criminal charges with possible jail time. This crime carries a sentence of up to 3 years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine. See https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.63.
Taking mail belonging to some else without their express permission is classified as mail theft and can result in heavy fines and jail time. This crime carries a sentence of up to 3 years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine. See https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=609.529.
This is the fraudulent appropriation of property or money that is entrusted to you. Federal charges in this category generally involve embezzlement of funds from the United States government and can result in up to 10 years in jail.
Like most federal laws, white collar crimes are extremely complex and numerous. Federal forgery and counterfeiting, for example, is governed by 18 U.S.C. §§ 470–514. If you deal in counterfeit obligations or securities, you could be sentenced to up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine under 18 U.S.C. § 473. If you make or possess counterfeit dies, molds, or such items for making coins, you could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine under 18 U.S.C. § 487. If you falsely make, forge, or alter a deed, receipt, or any other writing to get money from the United States or its agents, you could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine under 18 U.S.C. § 495. If you knowingly remove, destroy, or alter the VIN on a car, you could be sentenced to up to 5 years in prison and/or a fine under 18 U.S.C. § 511. See generally http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/part-I/chapter-25.
Check out our testimonials page to see how Ryan and his team have helped out numerous clients in a wide variety of crims. If you are in a legal situation that requires a white collar criminal attorney, then you should contact Ryan Garry, white collar criminal attorney MN, immediately for a free legal consultation. No matter what your case or individual circumstances are you will be advised on your best options. Ryan and his support staff will make immediate arrangements to meet with you and discuss your case to advise you on the best possible actions to take.
The preceding was a summary of the law. It does not describe all of the elements of the crimes. Laws are also constantly changing. You need to contact a skilled White Collar Crime Attorney MN to discuss the offenses in detail and with respect to your own particular case. Nothing in this description or anywhere on this site is legal advice.