Felony White Collar Criminal Defense Attorney Raleigh, NC
Experienced and trusted attorney for Raleigh-area residents facing complex white-collar crime investigations in North Carolina.
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John McWilliam, PLLC-
Strategic Defense for Wake County Financial Felony Charges in Wake County
If you are facing a white-collar criminal charge in Raleigh or nearby areas of Wake County—including Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Garner, Morrisville, Knightdale, Wendell, Zebulon, and Rolesville—you don’t have to navigate it alone.
For more than 30 years, John McWilliam, PLLC, has defended North Carolina clients facing felony-level financial charges. He understands how quickly these cases can threaten careers, families, and reputations, and he works to challenge the State’s evidence and seek dismissals or reduced charges where the facts and law support it.
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Contact John McWilliam, PLLC, a trusted Raleigh White Collar Crimes lawyer
Understanding Types of White Collar Crime Charges in NC
White collar crimes are financial or business-related offenses built on allegations of deception, misuse of funds, or abuse of a position of trust. White-collar cases often begin with letters from investigators, requests for records, or uncomfortable interviews at work. By the time formal criminal charges appear, the state has usually spent months building its case.
John McWilliam, PLLC, is a Raleigh white collar crimes lawyer who represents clients facing a variety of felony charges, including financial crimes. Understanding which law applies to a specific case is often the starting point for developing an effective defense strategy.
Obtaining Property by False Pretenses
This is one of the broadest financial crime statutes used in Wake County courts. Prosecutors rely on N.C.G.S. § 14-100 when they believe someone received money, property, or services by making a misleading statement or withholding important facts.
Embezzlement
Under N.C.G.S. § 14-90, Raleigh-area embezzlement charges usually arise from workplaces, family businesses, HOAs, and nonprofit organizations. The law applies when a person entrusted with funds is accused of using them for an unauthorized purpose.
Financial Identity Fraud
Identity-related cases often arise from family disputes, shared bank accounts, or online transactions. Under N.C.G.S. § 14-113.20, using another person’s identifying information to obtain credit, open accounts, or move funds can lead to state felony charges.
Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud cases range from auto and property claims to workers’ compensation paperwork. A single inaccurate statement on a claim form can trigger an investigation under N.C.G.S. § 58-2-161. Contractors, medical providers, and policyholders may all be targeted when billing codes or repair estimates are questioned.
Medicaid Provider Fraud
The medical community frequently faces audits that later become criminal referrals. Billing errors, up-coding allegations, or documentation gaps can be treated as intentional fraud under N.C.G.S. § 108A-63, even when the provider believed the claims were proper.
Forgery and Uttering Forged Instruments
N.C.G.S. §§ 14-119 and 14-120 cover forgery charges that appear in Wake County business disputes, real estate closings, and check transactions. The accusation may involve signatures on contracts, altered invoices, or endorsement of checks. “Uttering” refers to presenting a document as genuine even if someone else created it.
Credit Card and Debit Card Fraud
N.C.G.S. § 14-113.13 deals with allegations that a person used a credit or debit card without lawful authority or used card information in a way the account holder did not approve. These cases often arise from employer complaints, family disputes over joint finances, or online transactions involving multiple users.
Computer-Related Financial Crimes
Modern white-collar cases almost always involve computers or phones. Unauthorized access to accounts, alteration of electronic records, or misuse of company systems can be charged under N.C.G.S. § 14-453, even without traditional theft involved.
Evidence Used in Financial Crime Investigations
A white-collar crime investigation moves at a slower, quieter pace than most other criminal cases. Prosecutors rely on bank records, emails, accounting files, and witness testimony to argue intent. These cases can feel confusing because ordinary business decisions—expense reimbursements, billing practices, contract disputes—may be treated as criminal depending on how the state interprets them.
Clients often tell us:
- “I didn’t even know I was being investigated.”
- “This started as an audit at work.”
- “They said I could just explain what happened.”
Those early conversations can shape how the prosecution proceeds with the charges against you. Investigators are not there to clear up misunderstandings—they are gathering admissions. That is why speaking with a Raleigh white collar crimes lawyer before providing statements is so important.
Unlike street-level criminal offenses, these white-collar cases may involve:
- Subpoenas for bank records and payroll files
- Forensic accounting reviews
- Interviews with coworkers and business partners
- Seizure of computers and phones
- Asset freezes while the case is pending
The process can drag on for months, placing enormous pressure on families and employers long before a judge or jury hears the story.
Potential Consequences of a Financial Crime Conviction
Even when no one was physically harmed, North Carolina treats many white-collar crimes as serious felonies.
The fallout can reach far beyond the courtroom. Potential punishments may include:
- Active prison sentences or probation
- Restitution that exceeds actual losses
- Heavy fines and court costs
- Loss of professional licenses
- Seizure of homes, vehicles, and bank accounts
- Permanent damage to employment prospects
For business owners and professionals in the Greater Triangle area, a single conviction can undo decades of hard work. Our clients often worry less about the sentence and more about whether they will ever be able to rebuild their reputations.
Benefits of Hiring Attorney McWilliam for White Collar Crime Defense
White collar cases move through Wake County courts differently from other felonies, and the right attorney understands both the law and the local process. John McWilliam brings decades of hands-on experience to cases built on financial records, business practices, and questions of intent.
While no two cases are alike, no outcome is guaranteed, and each case’s defense strategy is built around the facts of that individual case, clients find they benefit from Attorney McWilliam’s:
Deep Wake County courtroom experience:
Over three decades of work with local judges and prosecutors have helped shape realistic strategies on bond, charging levels, and negotiations.
Practical understanding of financial evidence:
Looking at records the way they were created in real business settings, not only how investigators reorganize them.
Early involvement during investigations:
Communicating with detectives before charges are filed helps prevent misunderstandings and provides useful documentation.
Strategic use of pretrial motions:
Challenging searches, subpoenas, and interpretations of statutes can narrow or dismiss evidence early.
Trial-ready representation when needed:
Prepared to present complex financial facts in language jurors can follow while challenging the prosecution’s evidence.
Schedule a Free Consultation
Contact John McWilliam, PLLC, a trusted Raleigh White Collar Crimes lawyer
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Raleigh White Collar Crimes Lawyer
A white-collar allegation can feel like your entire life is suddenly under review. You deserve counsel who understands local courts and the real-world impact of these charges.
If you have been charged—or believe you are being investigated—for a state-level white collar offense in Raleigh, Apex, Fuquay-Varina, Holly Springs, Garner, Morrisville, Knightdale, Wendell, Zebulon, Rolesville, or anywhere in Wake County, contact John McWilliam, PLLC for a confidential, free consultation.
Call 919-772-4000 or complete the online contact form to discuss your situation and the options available to you.
