White Collar Lawyer in Chicago

White collar crimes typically involve deception, financial gain, or misuse of authority rather than physical violence. These cases often require extensive document review, financial analysis, and a deep understanding of Illinois criminal statutes. Kovacevic Law brings the skill and experience needed to challenge complex allegations, identify weaknesses in the evidence, and protect your future.

White collar cases are frequently brought when an individual in a position of trust, access, or responsibility is accused of manipulating financial systems, accounts, or sensitive information. Because many of these charges involve significant monetary loss or alleged breach of fiduciary duty, prosecutors devote substantial resources to pursuing convictions.

Common White Collar Crimes in Illinois

Illinois law classifies many financial and deception-based offenses as white collar crimes. Some of the most commonly charged offenses include:

Bribery – 720 ILCS 5/33-1

Bribery occurs when someone offers, gives, receives, or agrees to accept something of value with the intent to influence the actions of a public employee, public officer, juror, or witness. Both the person offering the bribe and the person accepting it may face charges.

Insurance Fraud – 720 ILCS 5/17-10.5

Insurance fraud involves knowingly submitting false statements, claims, or documentation to obtain benefits or payments from an insurance carrier. Actually receiving money is not required for prosecutors to pursue charges.

Forgery

Forgery in Illinois involves creating, altering, issuing, or possessing documents with the intent to defraud. This includes falsifying signatures, modifying contracts, misusing digital signatures, or possessing forged instruments with the intent to deliver them.

Money Laundering – 720 ILCS 5/29B-1

Money laundering occurs when a person attempts to conceal the origin of illegally obtained funds by transferring them through legitimate financial channels. Even indirect participation in the process may result in charges.

Embezzlement – 720 ILCS 5/16-1

Embezzlement is the unlawful taking or misuse of money or property by someone who was entrusted to manage or safeguard it. Unlike simple theft, embezzlement requires a breach of trust and is often charged when employers, bookkeepers, employees, or fiduciaries are involved.

Identity Theft – 720 ILCS 5/16-30

Identity theft includes knowingly using, transferring, selling, or possessing another person’s personal information—such as bank account numbers, Social Security numbers, credit card data, or financial records—without consent.

Check Fraud – 720 ILCS 5/17-1

Check fraud can include writing checks on accounts with insufficient funds, forging checks, altering financial instruments, or intentionally issuing checks that will not be honored. Multiple bounced checks over time can also escalate charges.

Penalties for White Collar Crimes in Illinois

White collar crimes can range from misdemeanors to Class X felonies. Penalties often depend on the financial loss, the number of victims, whether public officials were involved, and whether the conduct crossed state lines.

Potential Penalties Include:

• Class A Misdemeanor: Losses under $500; up to 1 year in jail + fines
• Class 3 Felony: Losses $500–$10,000; 2–5 years in prison
• Class 2 Felony: Losses $10,000–$100,000; 3–7 years in prison + fines
• Class 1 Felony: Losses $100,000–$500,000; 4–15 years
• Class 1 Felony (enhanced): Losses $500,000–$1,000,000; no probation
• Class X Felony: Losses exceeding $1,000,000; 6–30 years in prison

Additional consequences may include:

• Restitution to victims
• Federal charges if interstate commerce is implicated
• Permanent criminal record
• Loss of employment or licensure
• Damage to professional reputation

White collar cases often involve parallel civil actions meaning you could face lawsuits in addition to criminal charges.