Fraud and white collar cases are built on documents — bank records, emails, invoices and spreadsheets. They are often investigated for months before anyone is charged, which means you may have an opportunity to get ahead of the case. If you learn you’re under investigation, or receive a subpoena or a call from an investigator, talk to a lawyer before responding.
Common Michigan white collar charges
| Charge | Classification | Maximum penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Embezzlement under $200 | Misdemeanor | Up to 93 days in jail |
| Embezzlement $200 to $1,000 | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year in jail |
| Embezzlement $1,000 to $20,000 | Felony | Up to 5 years in prison |
| Embezzlement $20,000 to $50,000 | Felony | Up to 10 years in prison |
| Embezzlement $50,000 to $100,000 | Felony | Up to 15 years in prison |
| Embezzlement $100,000 or more | Felony | Up to 20 years in prison |
| Identity theft | Felony | Up to 5 years in prison, up to $25,000 fine |
| Forgery, or uttering and publishing a forged document | Felony | Up to 14 years in prison |
| Insurance fraud | Felony | Up to 4 years in prison, up to $50,000 fine |
| False pretenses | Misdemeanor or felony | Depends on the amount involved |
Maximum penalties for a typical first offense under Michigan law. Prior convictions, weapons, injuries and other factors can increase them. Actual sentences are usually far below the maximum and depend on Michigan’s sentencing guidelines and the facts of the case.
We also defend credit and debit card fraud, check fraud, unemployment and public assistance fraud, and tax-related state charges.
Our approach
Many white collar cases are resolved by showing that the numbers don’t prove what the prosecution says they do — that transactions were authorized, that there was no intent to defraud, or that the loss amount is overstated. Where restitution is part of the picture, a well-structured repayment plan can dramatically change the outcome, sometimes avoiding a felony conviction altogether.