An investigator wants to talk
It is natural to want to clear things up. Get advice before a voluntary interview or written explanation. Keep the caller’s name, agency, contact information, and any stated deadline.
Pompano Beach · Criminal Defense
Pompano Beach Fraud & White-Collar Defense Lawyers
A financial accusation can put your work and your name under pressure.
A detective’s call, an employer’s complaint, or a request for records may leave you wondering how a transaction became a criminal matter. We help you understand the allegation and prepare your next response.
Free consultation. Start with what happened and what is due next.
Begin with the records. Understand the allegation. Plan the response.
A named partner
Mr. Miller or Mr. Jacobs handles the cases we take.
Pompano Beach office
1600 S. Federal Highway, Suite 1101.
Free consultation
Talk through what needs attention first.
A clear first step
What happened, what is due, and what to do next.
Before the next conversation
Start with the contact you received.
You do not have to decide whether the accusation is “fraud,” “theft,” or a business dispute before you call. Tell us who contacted you and what they want you to do.
You received a records demand
A subpoena, search warrant, and informal request create different obligations. Keep the complete document and arrange prompt legal review. A subpoena or court order must not be ignored.
Charges have been filed
Bring the arrest affidavit, charging paper, and release conditions. We identify what requires attention now, including a hearing, custody issue, or restriction affecting work.
A financial allegation may overlap with other charges. Our
Pompano Beach criminal defense team
can review the connected issues together.
Look beyond the accusation
Put the transaction back in context.
A bank entry may show where money moved. It may leave out who approved the payment, what work was done, or what you understood at the time.
We compare the accusation with the records that could explain what happened, then look at what the prosecution needs to prove.
Talk through the recordsWhat was said and understood?
Contracts, emails, invoices, and earlier conversations can help explain the agreement. We examine the alleged deception and the evidence of intent, including records that support an honest mistake or legitimate transaction.
Who had authority or access?
A job title, shared account, or login does not answer every question about responsibility. Approval rules, account permissions, signatures, and the timing of access may matter.
How was the amount calculated?
We review the transactions included in the claimed loss, their dates, and any supporting accounting. For organized fraud, amounts obtained through one scheme may be combined to determine the offense level.
Does the evidence identify you reliably?
We check where the records came from, how they were linked to you, and whether they were kept intact. An investigator or financial or digital specialist may help when needed.
Keep the originals intact. Do not delete messages, change bookkeeping entries, or create replacement documents to explain the past. Identify where the records are and ask counsel how to preserve them lawfully.
The person behind the case
You may be thinking about payroll, your family, or the reputation you spent years building. Those concerns belong in the conversation, too.
A useful defense review connects the legal questions with the decisions you have to make in everyday life.
Understand the actual charge
“White-collar” covers different allegations.
The statute and charging language matter more than the label. We first identify the alleged conduct, the government involved, and the records supporting the accusation.
Organized or communications fraud
Florida’s communications fraud law addresses schemes to obtain property through deception. The alleged course of conduct, communications, intent, and amount require separate review.
Identity or payment allegations
An accusation may concern personal identifying information, an account, a card, or a check. We examine the specific offense, the claimed lack of permission, and the evidence connecting a person to the transaction.
Business or workplace records
Disputed expenses, payroll, invoices, benefits, and insurance paperwork can raise different legal questions. We review the documents before assuming that a bookkeeping disagreement proves a crime.
A theft charge alongside fraud
Some allegations also involve ownership or an alleged taking. Our
Pompano Beach theft defense page
explains those related issues without treating theft and fraud as interchangeable.
Is this a state or federal matter?
Check the agency, court, and papers you received. Tell us immediately if federal agents contacted you or a federal subpoena arrived. We first confirm whether it is a state or federal matter and whether the firm can take your case.
From the first contact forward
A defense plan built around the next decision.
Some people call during an investigation. Others already have a court date. We start with what is happening in your case now.
This is a process outline, not a promised schedule or outcome.
01
Find out what needs attention first
We review who contacted you, the papers you received, any custody issue, and upcoming deadlines. Then we explain what needs a response and which conversations we can handle for you.
02
Put the records in order
We put the financial and digital records in order, look for missing documents, and identify witnesses. Then we compare that information with the accusation.
03
Decide how to challenge the case
We look for challenges the facts and law support. We explain what we could ask the judge to do, whether to share helpful evidence with prosecutors, and the options for negotiation or trial.
04
Choose your next step
We explain your options and what each could mean for you before you decide. That includes any proposed agreement, repayment issue, or duty that would continue afterward.
Start the conversation
You do not need a polished explanation to call.
Start with a sentence: “An investigator contacted me,” or “My employer says money is missing.” In that first conversation, we can sort out what needs attention, which papers to bring, and whether we can help with your case.
Your first consultation is free. Before hiring us, ask what the fee covers and what work we would handle.
A useful place to begin
Who contacted you, and from which agency or organization
Any subpoena, arrest paper, case number, or court date
Where relevant records are kept, without sending them yet
Your most urgent concern about work, family, or an upcoming deadline
Who will handle your defense
Know the attorney responsible for your case.
Talking about your finances and work can feel personal. If we take your case, Mr. Miller or Mr. Jacobs handles your defense and explains the choices ahead.
Partner
Mark J. Miller
Florida Bar member since 1995. More than 70 jury trials to verdict across his legal career.
Read Mark’s bio
Partner
Rick S. Jacobs
Florida Bar member since 1995. More than 160 jury trials to verdict across his legal career.
Read Rick’s bioMr. Miller or Mr. Jacobs remains responsible for your case. Staff, investigators, and experts may help when needed. These trial totals cover their full legal careers. They do not show results in fraud cases.
Questions before you act
Clear answers when the situation feels uncertain.
The answer for your case depends on the exact allegation and documents. These are useful questions to bring to the first review.
Can a failed business deal lead to a fraud charge?
Can a failed business deal lead to a fraud charge?
A failed deal can prompt an allegation, but does not alone establish criminal fraud. The representations, intent, and records need review. A civil dispute and a criminal investigation may also overlap.
Should I send investigators my explanation and records?
Should I send investigators my explanation and records?
Get legal advice before a voluntary response. Counsel can review the request, the deadline, and the implications of providing particular information. Preserve the records and comply with lawful obligations; do not ignore a subpoena or court order.
Is there a dollar amount below which fraud is not a crime?
Is there a dollar amount below which fraud is not a crime?
There is no single safe cutoff across fraud offenses. Under Florida’s organized fraud law, an amount below $20,000 can still support a third-degree felony when the required elements are proved. Other offenses use different rules, and particular circumstances can increase penalties.
Will repaying the money make the charge go away?
Will repaying the money make the charge go away?
Repayment does not automatically end a criminal investigation or prosecution. It may be relevant to negotiation, restitution, or sentencing, depending on the case. Discuss any proposed payment or settlement with counsel before acting.
What will the defense cost?
What will the defense cost?
The consultation is free. Representation fees depend on the matter and the work involved, including the volume of records, court proceedings, and any specialist assistance. Ask what the agreement covers and which costs may be separate; no fixed legal fee is quoted on this page.
Where will a Pompano Beach fraud case be heard?
Where will a Pompano Beach fraud case be heard?
A Florida state felony case from Pompano Beach generally proceeds through Broward’s felony court system in Fort Lauderdale. A federal matter uses a different court. Follow your notice, docket, and attorney’s instructions.
Check official Broward court locations
.
Related defense information
When another part of the case needs attention.
Theft allegations
Ownership, permission, and alleged taking may need their own analysis.
Explore theft defenseWarrants & bond
A custody or release issue can require attention before the full records review.
Warrant & bond optionsFelony defense
Understand how a serious state charge can affect the next court decisions.
Explore felony defense