White collar crime refers to nonviolent, financially motivated offenses typically committed by individuals, businesses, or government officials. These crimes often involve deceit, breach of trust, or manipulation, including fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, and money laundering. They can be prosecuted at state and federal levels, and penalties are typically severe.
Jeffrey S. Weiner, P.A. is a well-respected Miami-based firm with seasoned attorneys familiar with how these cases are handled in Miami-Dade County. Jeff Weiner, the founding partner of our firm, brings decades of legal experience and a profound commitment to justice. Practicing since 1974, he has garnered a reputation for success across more than 25 states.
With state and federal experience, our Miami lawyers are prepared to defend you against charges, fighting for your rights and freedoms. Call Jeffrey S. Weiner, P.A. at (305) 670-9919 or message us online.
The legal implications of white collar crimes can be severe. Depending on the specific charge, penalties may include:
These legal consequences not only have an immediate impact, but they leave a long-term effect that can affect your reputation and your employment opportunities in the future.
Our attorneys have tried cases in more than 25 states and argued before the Florida Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court. Wherever your case stands right now, we've likely stood there before — with a client's freedom on the line.
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A robust defense is critical when facing white collar crime charges. Our Miami white-collar crime attorneys meticulously examine every case detail to identify available defense opportunities. We then work with our clients to devise the strategies that best serve their needs.
Potential defense strategies include:
White collar cases in Miami rarely involve just one police department. Depending on the alleged conduct, several state and federal agencies may investigate the same case at the same time, and a referral from one agency to another can turn a state inquiry into a federal indictment.
| Agency | What It Investigates | Local / Regional Office |
| FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) | Complex fraud, public corruption, money laundering, health care fraud | FBI Miami Field Office |
| IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) | Tax fraud, money laundering, PPP and COVID relief fraud, virtual currency crimes | IRS-CI Miami Field Office |
| U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) | Securities fraud, insider trading, Ponzi schemes, investment adviser fraud | SEC Miami Regional Office |
| U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida | Prosecutes federal white collar cases across the Southern District of Florida, including cases filed in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Fort Pierce, and Key West | Criminal Division, USAO-SDFL |
| Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) | Broker-dealer misconduct, unauthorized trading, licensing violations | Coordinates with the SEC |
| HHS Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG) | Medicare and Medicaid billing fraud, health care kickback schemes | Coordinates with the DOJ Health Care Fraud Unit |
| U.S. Secret Service | Financial institution fraud, credit card and access device fraud, cyber-enabled financial crime | Regional field presence |
Because these agencies share information and often build cases together, it helps to know as early as possible which one is looking at you. An attorney can request the applicable subpoenas or target letters and evaluate which office is likely to bring charges before an indictment is filed.
White collar crimes are often prosecuted by the Economic Crimes Division, a specialized unit of the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office. This division addresses crimes involving significant amounts of money or intricate financial schemes, often impacting individuals and businesses alike. The Economic Crimes Division works closely with investigators from various local, state, and federal agencies.
The Economic Crimes Division prosecutes cases primarily in the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, which serves Miami-Dade County. This circuit handles various criminal and civil cases, including white collar ones. These cases are generally brought before the Circuit Criminal Division, which hears felony cases. Meanwhile, the County Court Division generally hears misdemeanor criminal cases.
Miami-based federal white collar crime charges are typically held in the United States District Courts and prosecuted by the Criminal Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. These courts have jurisdiction over cases involving violations of federal law, which often include white collar crimes such as securities fraud, wire fraud, tax evasion, and racketeering.
Federal enforcement of financial and health care fraud has intensified. In June 2026, the Department of Justice’s National Health Care Fraud Takedown charged 455 defendants nationwide, including 90 doctors and other licensed professionals, in schemes involving more than $6.5 billion in false claims, with the FBI, IRS-CI, and HHS-OIG all participating. Given the concentration of health care providers in Miami-Dade, cases of this kind are frequently charged in the Southern District of Florida.
If you are convicted of a federal white collar crime, the court calculates your sentence largely under United States Sentencing Guidelines § 2B1.1 (Theft, Property Destruction, and Fraud). The starting point, called the base offense level, is 6 for most fraud counts, or 7 if the crime carries a statutory maximum of 20 years or more, such as wire fraud, mail fraud, or bank fraud.
From there, the dollar amount of loss tied to the offense drives most of the increase. Under the current loss table, a loss of more than $6,500 adds 2 levels and a loss of more than $15,000 adds 4 levels. The increases keep climbing from there: a loss over $550,000 adds 14 levels, and a loss over $9,500,000 adds 20 levels. Because loss amount does so much of the work in this math, disputing how the government calculated loss is often the single most effective way to lower a recommended sentence.
The loss table itself is about to change. On April 16, 2026, the U.S. Sentencing Commission voted unanimously to adopt a package of amendments that updates the economic crime guidelines for inflation, the first such adjustment in more than a decade. The Commission’s adopted amendment raises the $550,000 tier to $750,000 and the $9,500,000 tier to $15,000,000. These are the final adopted numbers, confirmed as of the April 16, 2026 vote — not just an early proposal. The amendments were submitted to Congress by May 1, 2026, and take effect November 1, 2026, unless Congress acts to block them.
An attorney who tracks the effective date can use the timing of a plea or sentencing hearing to your advantage.
If you suspect you are under investigation for a white collar crime or if you have been charged, taking immediate action to protect your rights is paramount. A good first step is consulting with an experienced attorney who understands how various agencies pursue these cases.
The benefits of working with our white collar lawyers in Miami include:
We appreciate that facing criminal charges is scary, but you are not alone. Just because these offenses are nonviolent doesn’t mean they should be taken any less seriously; even misdemeanor charges can result in severe conviction penalties. If you or a loved one is facing fraud charges, turn to Jeffrey S. Weiner, P.A. for help.
Serving Criminal Defense Clients for Over 50 Years
A white-collar criminal defense attorney will:
The primary difference between state and federal white-collar charges lies in the potential penalties and the complexity of the legal process. Federal charges often carry more severe penalties and involve more complex legal procedures.
Common examples include fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, money laundering, and bribery. Most involve deception for financial gain rather than force.
In many cases, yes. Prosecutors will sometimes agree to reduced charges or a favorable plea when the evidence, loss amount, or intent is disputed early in the case.
Federal courts use the greater of actual loss or intended loss under USSG § 2B1.1. A higher loss figure adds more levels to your sentence, which is why disputing the calculation matters.
Yes. Speaking with an attorney before charges are filed can shape how a case develops and, in some cases, prevent an indictment altogether.
Yes. Licensing boards for law, medicine, real estate, and finance can suspend or revoke a license after a white collar conviction, even for a first offense.
Managing Partner Jeffrey S. Weiner is a premier choice for white collar crimes defense in Miami, backed by more than 50 years of legal experience. Attorney Weiner has successfully represented clients in state and federal cases across more than 25 states, including high-profile individuals such as attorneys, athletes, and politicians.
His recognition as a nationally Board Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer and accolades like being named one of the Best Lawyers in America highlight our firm’s commitment to excellence and the respect we command within the legal community.
What truly sets us apart is our comprehensive knowledge of complex financial matters and our dedication to client advocacy. We tailor our defense strategies to each unique case, leveraging Jeff Weiner’s extensive experience, including arguments before the United States Supreme Court.
Our firm’s commitment to accessibility ensures that clients receive personalized support 24/7, and we offer free initial consultations to help you make informed decisions without financial pressure. With a legacy of excellence and a focus on preserving constitutional rights, we are here to tirelessly fight for your best interests.
Contact us online or call (305) 670-9919 to schedule a confidential consultation today. With so much at stake, don’t delay; call now.
You may call our office 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are always ready to consult with you, whether
by telephone consultation, a meeting in our office, or a visit if you are incarcerated. All communications
are confidential and protected by the attorney-client privilege.
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