Criminal Defense — Georgetown, Texas
White Collar Crime Defense Attorney
Defending individuals and business owners against fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, and federal financial crime charges in Williamson County and throughout Central Texas.
White Collar Charges Are Prosecuted Aggressively — and the Investigation Often Starts Long Before an Arrest.
White collar crimes are financial offenses — fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, forgery, and related charges — that carry felony penalties, substantial prison time, and financial consequences that can destroy a career and a business. Unlike street crimes, white collar investigations are typically conducted over months or years before charges are filed. By the time law enforcement makes contact, they have already built a substantial case.
If you have received a target letter from a federal agency, been contacted by investigators, learned that a grand jury is reviewing your conduct, or been formally charged, you need experienced criminal defense counsel immediately. The decisions you make in the early stages of a white collar investigation — what you say, what documents you produce, whether you cooperate — can determine the outcome of your case.
At Mark Morales & Associates, we represent clients facing white collar charges in state and federal court throughout Central Texas. We understand how these cases are built, where the evidence is vulnerable, and how to mount an aggressive defense from the moment you retain us.
Under Investigation? Don't Wait for Charges to Be Filed.
If federal agents have contacted you, your employer has received a subpoena, or you have reason to believe you are the subject of a financial crimes investigation, retain counsel now — before you are charged. Anything you say to investigators can and will be used against you. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. Exercise both.
White Collar Charges We Defend
White collar offenses span a wide range of conduct — from a single act of check forgery to complex multi-year fraud schemes investigated by the FBI, IRS, or SEC. We defend clients at every level of this spectrum.
- Fraud (wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, insurance fraud, mortgage fraud)
- Embezzlement and misappropriation of funds
- Money laundering (state and federal)
- Identity theft and credit card abuse
- Forgery and fraudulent use of a financial instrument
- Securities fraud and investment fraud
- Tax fraud and tax evasion (IRS criminal investigations)
- Bribery and public corruption
- Healthcare fraud and Medicare/Medicaid fraud
- Computer fraud and cybercrime (CFAA violations)
- Theft by check / bad check offenses
- Conspiracy charges related to financial crimes
Penalties for White Collar Crimes in Texas
White collar offenses are charged based on the amount of money involved. Texas law uses a tiered system — the higher the alleged loss amount, the more serious the felony. Federal charges carry separate sentencing guidelines that can result in substantially longer sentences.
| Charge Level | Loss Amount | Potential Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Class C Misdemeanor | Less than $100 | Fine up to $500 |
| Class B Misdemeanor | $100 – less than $750 | Up to 180 days county jail; fine up to $2,000 |
| Class A Misdemeanor | $750 – less than $2,500 | Up to 1 year county jail; fine up to $4,000 |
| State Jail Felony | $2,500 – less than $30,000 | 180 days – 2 years state jail; fine up to $10,000 |
| 3rd Degree Felony | $30,000 – less than $150,000 | 2 – 10 years prison; fine up to $10,000 |
| 2nd Degree Felony | $150,000 – less than $300,000 | 2 – 20 years prison; fine up to $10,000 |
| 1st Degree Felony | $300,000 or more | 5 – 99 years or life; fine up to $10,000 |
Federal White Collar Charges: A Different Standard
Many white collar offenses — particularly those involving wire communications, mail, financial institutions, or interstate commerce — are prosecuted in federal court under statutes like 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (wire fraud) or 18 U.S.C. § 1956 (money laundering). Federal sentencing guidelines use a point-based system that calculates sentences based on the loss amount, number of victims, sophistication of the scheme, and the defendant's role. Federal sentences are served in federal prison, not county jail, and there is no parole in the federal system. A federal fraud conviction can result in decades of imprisonment. If you are under federal investigation or have been indicted in federal court, retaining experienced federal criminal defense counsel immediately is critical.
Collateral Consequences Beyond the Sentence
A white collar conviction carries consequences that extend far beyond prison time and fines. Restitution orders can require repayment of the full alleged loss amount — sometimes millions of dollars — in addition to any criminal sentence. Professional licenses are revoked or suspended: attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, nurses, and contractors face licensing board proceedings separate from the criminal case. Federal convictions result in permanent loss of the right to possess a firearm. Non-citizens face deportation and inadmissibility. A felony record disqualifies you from federal contracting, federal employment, and many private-sector positions. Asset forfeiture proceedings can seize bank accounts, vehicles, and real property alleged to be proceeds of the offense — even before conviction.
How We Defend White Collar Charges
White collar cases are document-intensive and legally complex. We begin by understanding the full scope of the investigation, securing and reviewing all relevant records, and identifying every weakness in the government's theory of the case.
Challenging Intent — The Government Must Prove You Meant to Defraud
Most white collar offenses require proof of specific criminal intent — that you knowingly and willfully engaged in the fraudulent conduct. Business disputes, accounting errors, miscommunications, and good-faith reliance on advice of counsel are not crimes. We challenge the prosecution's ability to prove criminal intent beyond a reasonable doubt, particularly in complex financial transactions where intent is genuinely ambiguous.
Challenging the Loss Amount
In both state and federal court, the alleged loss amount drives the severity of the charge and the length of the sentence. We scrutinize the prosecution's loss calculation — which is often inflated — and present evidence of actual loss, offsets, and legitimate business expenses that reduce the amount at issue.
Fourth Amendment and Evidentiary Challenges
White collar investigations frequently involve search warrants for business records, email accounts, and financial records. We review every search warrant and subpoena for constitutional defects. Evidence obtained through an overbroad or unsupported warrant may be suppressed, significantly weakening the prosecution's case.
Pre-Indictment Intervention
If you are under investigation but have not yet been charged, we can intervene before an indictment is filed. We communicate with prosecutors and investigators on your behalf, present exculpatory evidence, and in some cases persuade the government not to charge — or to charge a lesser offense. Early retention of counsel is one of the most important decisions you can make in a white collar investigation.
Negotiating Favorable Resolutions
When the evidence is substantial, we negotiate for reduced charges, deferred prosecution agreements, or plea agreements that minimize prison exposure and protect your professional license and livelihood. We never accept a resolution without fully evaluating every alternative.
Trial Defense
We are trial lawyers. When the government's case does not justify a plea, we take the case to trial and hold the prosecution to its burden of proof. White collar juries are sophisticated, and a well-prepared defense — presenting the full context of the defendant's conduct and challenging the government's narrative — can be highly effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a state white collar charge and a federal charge?
State charges are prosecuted by the Williamson County District Attorney's office under the Texas Penal Code. Federal charges are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's office under federal statutes. Federal investigations are typically conducted by the FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, Secret Service, or SEC. Federal sentences are generally longer, are served in federal prison, and there is no parole. Many white collar offenses can be charged in either court, and sometimes both.
I received a target letter from the U.S. Attorney's office. What does that mean?
A target letter means the federal government has identified you as a target of a grand jury investigation and believes it has substantial evidence of your involvement in a crime. You are not yet charged, but indictment is likely if you do not retain counsel and respond appropriately. Do not contact the U.S. Attorney's office, investigators, or potential witnesses without speaking to an attorney first. Call us immediately.
Can I be charged with fraud even if no one actually lost money?
Yes. Under both Texas and federal law, the crime of fraud is complete when the scheme is executed — actual loss is not required. The government must prove you intended to defraud, not that the fraud succeeded. However, the absence of actual loss is a significant mitigating factor in sentencing and can affect the severity of the charge.
Will I lose my professional license if I am convicted?
Almost certainly, yes — for most licensed professions. Texas licensing boards for attorneys, CPAs, nurses, contractors, financial advisors, and many other professions have mandatory reporting requirements and disciplinary procedures triggered by criminal convictions. We work to protect your license as part of the overall defense strategy, including coordinating with licensing board proceedings when necessary.
What is asset forfeiture and can the government seize my property before I am convicted?
Yes. Federal and Texas law both authorize civil asset forfeiture — seizure of property alleged to be proceeds of a crime or used to facilitate a crime — before conviction and sometimes before charges are filed. We challenge forfeiture actions and work to recover seized assets. A criminal acquittal does not automatically result in return of forfeited property; a separate civil proceeding is often required.
Treated Like Family. Defended Like Family.
Our Georgetown, Texas office serves clients throughout Williamson, Travis, and Bell counties. All consultations are strictly confidential.