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Last Modified on Sep 09, 2025
Adequate corporate criminal representation in North Carolina can be difficult to find because it is a relatively niche field. While any criminal defense attorney can legally represent a corporate client, it is beneficial to have an attorney with experience in handling corporate cases. As a corporation, it is essential to ensure that your company receives a fair fight for justice. Hiring the right defense attorney can help achieve such a goal.
When a matter may also draw civil or regulatory scrutiny, understanding how SEC investigations are conducted can help corporate leadership anticipate agency tactics and timelines.
The W. James Payne Law Firm works tirelessly to ensure that each client goes to court with a strong defense strategy on their side. In addition to representing your corporation in court, we also gather evidence, interview relevant witnesses, explain all paperwork and legal processes to you, and provide any other assistance we can.
White Collar Corporate Crime
White-collar corporate crime is a broad term used to refer to a range of criminal activities. Generally, white collar crimes are non-violent, financially motivated crimes that can be tried at either the state or federal levels. The penalties for such crimes can be severe, resulting in lifelong consequences. Some examples of specific types of white collar crimes include the following:
- Fraud. Intentionally deceiving an individual or business with the purpose of gaining a financial advantage. This can occur through fraudulent statements or contracts, insider trading, embezzlement, and other actions.
- Embezzlement. The action of unlawfully managing a company’s assets in order to achieve some type of personal gain.
- Money Laundering. Tactics used with the goal of concealing the source of unlawful income. Classic examples involve covering up an inflow of money from illegal drug sales.
- Identity Theft. Methods of stealing an individual’s or a business’s identity in order to use their assets for personal gain.
Leadership teams often want clarity on what conduct prosecutors prioritize. Gaining insight into the most common white-collar crimes in North Carolina can help sharpen internal risk assessments.
A report from the National Library of Medicine indicates that, as of 2021, there were estimated annual financial losses of $426 billion to $1.7 trillion due to white-collar crimes. White-collar crimes often involve the misappropriation of large sums of money, which is one reason why the penalties are often severe.
Additional Resources
In addition to hiring an experienced white collar criminal defense attorney, organizations and entities that are professionals in gathering evidence related to white collar crimes can be of great help. Some of the following are examples located in North Carolina:
Why Choose Us?
When facing serious criminal charges that can result in severe consequences, it is crucial to hire an experienced corporate criminal representation lawyer. Some North Carolina criminal defense cases can be straightforward to fight, but those involving white-collar criminal activity often pose complex challenges. At the W. James Payne Law Firm, we have spent decades intentionally defending white-collar crime cases. Our experience makes us a great candidate for you as well.
W. James Payne has dedicated decades as a criminal defense attorney to serving those accused of white-collar crimes. He has given lectures and written various articles on white-collar criminal defense. His bar licenses include the North Carolina Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
FAQs
Who Prosecutes Corporate Crimes?
Who prosecutes a corporate crime may vary depending on the specifics of the crime. A key distinction is whether the crime is state or federal. State-appointed attorneys prosecute state crimes while federally appointed attorneys prosecute federal crimes. In some cases, the Department of Justice may play a significant role in the prosecution. For certain state cases, the state’s Attorney General’s office may step in. It is essential to hire a criminal defense attorney who has experience with these cases.
What Are Common Types of Corporate Crime in North Carolina?
There are countless types of corporate crimes that occur in North Carolina regularly. Among these are fraud, embezzlement, tax evasion, identity theft, and money laundering. Some of these crimes may be classified as either state or federal. While such crimes are considered non-violent, they are still handled with a high level of seriousness, and convictions are met with significant penalties.
What Is White Collar Crime?
White collar crime is a term that is used to reference any kind of non-violent, high-profile crime that is typically financial in character. Examples include fraud, embezzlement, and identity theft. In 2023, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation reported 2,542 arrests for fraud, 782 arrests for embezzlement, and 540 arrests for forgery and counterfeiting. The consequences for many white collar crime offenses can include multiple years in jail and fines.
What Kind of Lawyer Defends Corporate Criminal Cases?
A criminal defense attorney is someone who can defend corporate criminal cases. Such cases often involve complex laws and can result in serious penalties. It can be helpful to hire a criminal defense lawyer who is familiar with handling white collar criminal cases. The nature of these cases often requires a knowledge of specific laws that common criminal defense attorneys may not possess.
Hire a Criminal Defense Lawyer: W. James Payne Law Firm
An individual charged with a white collar crime may have a lot to lose, but a corporation that is facing a white collar crime charge often has even more at stake. Even if your assets are protected, the reputation of your company can be affected by the news of a criminal charge. It is vitally important to stay ahead of such charges. One of the first steps to take is hiring a criminal defense attorney with knowledge of corporate criminal defense laws.
At W. James Payne Law Firm, our team has decades of experience in working with corporations that have been charged with white collar crimes. Although the legal landscape of such cases can be complex to navigate, we can guide you through each step of the process. We help you understand relevant laws, protect your company and personal interests, and build a strong defense on your behalf. Contact us today to learn more and to ask any questions you may have.
