Savannah White Collar Crime Lawyer

Defending Against White Collar Crimes in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, Bulloch, McIntosh Counties

When you are facing accusations for a white collar crime, the best thing you can do for yourself is to hire an experienced and aggressive defense attorney. Attorney Jennifer L. Ozer is a straightforward and aggressive advocate who aims to take the stress off her clients’ shoulders. She is personally invested in your outcome and has the fighting spirit to get the results you need. From forgery to fraud to identity theft to embezzlement, The Ozer Law Firm, LLC is prepared to handle your white collar crimes defense.

Schedule a free initial consultation with Attorney Ozer online to learn more about how we can help.

Understanding Forgery Charges in Georgia

In Georgia, it is illegal to make or possess documents that purport to be something they aren’t. Forgery crimes are classified as first, second, third, or fourth degree forgery. Third and fourth degree forgery typically deal with check forgery, while first and second degree forgery deal with other documents. 

Note that to be convicted of any kind of forgery in Georgia, the defendant must act with the intent to defraud. People have the intent to defraud when they intend to deceive, trick, or injure others or better their own position through forgery. For example, a person who makes fake tickets to sell to fans for a profit is acting with the intent to defraud. 

The penalties for forgery depend on the class of the offense:

• First degree – punishable by 1-15 years' imprisonment
• Second and third degree – punishable by 1-5 years in prison
• Fourth degree – misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and up to 12 months in county jail; those convicted for the third or subsequent time must face 1-5 years in prison

Identity Theft/Fraud in Georgia

Another serious crime in Georgia is identity fraud (identity theft). Georgia law states that a person commits identity fraud when they willfully and fraudulently:

• use or possess with intent to fraudulently use identifying information concerning a person without authorization or consent;
• use identifying information of an individual under 18 years old over whom they exercise custodial authority;
• use or possess with intent to fraudulently use identifying information concerning a deceased individual;
• create, use, or possess with intent to fraudulently use any counterfeit or fictitious information concerning a fictitious person with the intent to use such information for the purpose of committing or facilitating the commission of a crime or fraud on another person; or
• create, use, or possess with intent to fraudulently use any counterfeit or fictitious identifying information concerning a real person with the intent to use such information for the purpose of committing or facilitating the commission of a crime or fraud on another person without authorization or consent.

A person may also commit identity fraud when they willingly accept identifying information that they know to be fraudulent, stolen, counterfeit, or fictitious.

Keep in mind that identity fraud does not apply to a minor under 21 years old who uses a fraudulent, counterfeit, or otherwise false identification card to obtain entry into a business establishment or for purchasing items they are not of legal age to purchase. Such crimes are criminally punishable, though not under the same standard as identity theft.

Identity fraud is a felony punishable by 1-10 years in prison, as well as up to $100,000 in fines. Second and subsequent offenses may result in escalated penalties of 3-15 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. Note that even an attempt to commit identity fraud will be considered a crime under Georgia law, which criminalizes the attempting or conspiring to commit identity fraud. 

What is Embezzlement?

Embezzlement (also referred to as “conversion”) is the theft of money or property by a person in a position of trust or responsibility over those assets. Embezzlement offenses often involve bankers, accountants, legal guardians, employees, and others who are in a position to appropriate property they are charged with protecting.

To constitute a crime of embezzlement, the following elements must be present:

• the person lawfully obtained another person's funds or property, including leased or rented property;
• the person did so under an agreement or other known legal obligation for the specific application or use of such property;
• the person knowingly converted the funds or property for their own use in violation of the aforementioned agreement.

The penalties for embezzlement will depend on the value of the allegedly stolen property. For instance, embezzlement of anything worth $500 or less can result in 1 year in jail and $1,000 in fines. Embezzlement of anything worth more than $500 could face a $1,000 fine and 1-10 years in prison. Embezzling firearms or explosives, on the other hand, could lead to 1-10 years in prison.

These are only a few examples of white collar crimes addressed by Georgia law. There are a number of white collar offenses that our firm defends clients against. If you have been accused of such a crime in Savannah, GA, do not hesitate to contact The Ozer Law Firm, LLC for legal support.