White Collar Crimes in Texas

A Texas white collar crime is a non-violent, financially motivated offense prosecuted under state law – most commonly under Chapters 31 (Theft), 32 (Fraud), 33 (Computer Crimes), 34 (Money Laundering), 35 (Insurance Fraud), and 35A (Health Care Fraud) of the Texas Penal Code. These cases are typically investigated by local police white collar units, the Texas Attorney General, the Texas Department of Insurance, and the Texas State Securities Board. Penalties range from a Class C misdemeanor to a first-degree felony carrying up to 99 years or life in prison. If you are under investigation or have been charged, you need experienced Texas criminal defense counsel immediately.

Varghese Summersett is one of Texas’s most respected criminal defense firms. Our team includes three Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists — the highest designation a criminal attorney can earn in Texas — along with former state and federal prosecutors who have tried hundreds of cases before juries. Our attorneys have prosecuted and defended every category of Texas white collar offense, from check fraud and embezzlement to large-scale identity theft, insurance fraud, money laundering, and securities fraud. That courtroom experience — combined with deep familiarity with how Texas prosecutors build financial crime cases — gives our clients a significant strategic advantage. We represent individuals and businesses facing Texas white collar accusations throughout Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Collin, Harris, Fort Bend, and surrounding counties.

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What Is a Texas White Collar Crime?

The term “white collar crime” describes financially motivated offenses committed through deception, concealment, or abuse of professional trust — rather than force or violence. In Texas, these crimes are typically committed by executives, accountants, physicians, financial advisors, contractors, government employees, and ordinary people who exploit positions of trust or use deception for financial gain.

At the state level, Texas white collar offenses are prosecuted by county and district attorneys under the Texas Penal Code. Penalty ranges depend on the value of property involved, the identity of the victim, and aggravating factors such as exploitation of an elderly or disabled person. Many cases also involve parallel investigations by federal agencies running at the same time as the state prosecution.

Texas white collar cases can move quickly. Once a grand jury indicts, the case moves into a felony district court and proceeds under the rules of Texas criminal procedure. Having experienced defense counsel from the moment you sense an investigation is the single most important step you can take to protect yourself.

What Types of Texas White Collar Cases Does Varghese Summersett Handle?

Our attorneys regularly defend individuals and businesses facing the full range of Texas white collar allegations. The list below covers the offenses most commonly charged in Texas state court, organized by Penal Code chapter.

Theft and Theft-Related Offenses (Chapter 31)

Theft — Penal Code § 31.03. Unlawfully appropriating property with intent to deprive the owner of it. The most commonly charged property offense in Texas, with penalties scaling from a Class C misdemeanor (under $100) to a first-degree felony ($300,000 or more).

Theft of Service — Penal Code § 31.04. Obtaining services — labor, professional work, lodging, transportation, or utilities — by deception, threat, or without paying when payment is due. Frequently charged against contractors who accept payment and fail to perform.

Theft of Trade Secrets — Penal Code § 31.05. Stealing, copying, or communicating a company’s confidential business information, formulas, processes, or compilations without authorization. A third-degree felony regardless of the value involved.

Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle — Penal Code § 31.07. Intentionally operating another person’s vehicle without their effective consent. A state jail felony — commonly charged when a borrowed vehicle is kept longer than authorized.

Tampering With Identification Numbers — Penal Code § 31.11. Knowingly altering, removing, or obliterating a serial number or identifying mark on property. Often charged in stolen-vehicle and stolen-firearm cases.

Organized Retail Theft — Penal Code § 31.16. Conducting, promoting, or facilitating the theft of retail merchandise with intent to resell or distribute it. Penalty scales with the total value across multiple thefts.

Cargo Theft — Penal Code § 31.18. Stealing cargo with a value of $1,500 or more from a commercial vehicle, trailer, or container. A state jail felony at minimum, escalating to a first-degree felony at $250,000 or more.

Theft of Petroleum Product — Penal Code § 31.19. Stealing oil, gas, or other petroleum products. Always a felony — a state jail felony at minimum and a first-degree felony at $300,000 or more.

Theft of Government Property — Theft involving public money, public records, or government-owned property. The status of the victim as a government entity changes both the strategy and exposure of the case.

Bank Jugging — A theft technique where suspects watch customers leave a bank and then break into their vehicles to take the cash. Charged under Texas theft and burglary statutes.

Burglary of a Vehicle — Breaking into a vehicle with intent to commit a felony or theft. A Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, with felony enhancements for repeat offenders.

Fraud Offenses (Chapter 32)

Forgery — Penal Code § 32.21. Making, altering, or passing a writing with intent to defraud. Penalties range from a Class A misdemeanor for most documents to a third-degree felony for checks, wills, deeds, or government instruments — and a second-degree felony for money or securities.

Criminal Simulation — Penal Code § 32.22. Making or selling counterfeit objects of value (antiques, collectibles, artwork) with intent to defraud.

Trademark Counterfeiting — Penal Code § 32.23. Manufacturing, selling, or possessing goods bearing a counterfeit trademark. Penalty scales with the retail value of the genuine goods.

Stealing or Receiving Stolen Check or Similar Sight Order — Penal Code § 32.24. Knowingly taking or receiving a stolen check, money order, or similar instrument.

Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse — Penal Code § 32.31. Using a stolen, expired, or revoked card with intent to obtain a benefit, or possessing someone else’s card without consent. A state jail felony — and one of the most commonly filed Texas fraud charges.

Credit Card Transaction Record Laundering — Penal Code § 32.35. Submitting credit card transactions through a merchant account belonging to another business — typically to disguise the true source of the charges.

Fraudulent Use of Credit Card or Debit Card Information — Penal Code § 32.315. Using card account numbers or other payment data — without the physical card — to obtain goods, services, or money. Penalty depends on the number of items of card information possessed.

Hindering Secured Creditors — Penal Code § 32.33. Selling, hiding, or destroying property subject to a security interest with intent to hinder the secured creditor. Common in vehicle and equipment financing disputes.

Fraudulent Transfer of a Motor Vehicle — Penal Code § 32.34. Transferring or receiving a vehicle with intent to defraud a lienholder or rightful owner.

Issuance of Bad Check or Similar Sight Order — Penal Code § 32.41. Writing a check knowing there are insufficient funds and that the check will not be paid. Typically a Class C misdemeanor, but felony when used as part of a larger fraud scheme.

Deceptive Business Practices — Penal Code § 32.42. Using false weights, false advertising, bait-and-switch tactics, or other deceptive sales practices in the course of business. Penalties scale based on intent and prior history.

Commercial Bribery — Penal Code § 32.43. Offering or accepting a benefit to influence a fiduciary’s decision in a business transaction — outside the public-corruption context. Commonly charged in procurement and vendor-kickback cases.

Rigging Publicly Exhibited Contest — Penal Code § 32.44.

Illegal Recruitment of an Athlete — Penal Code § 32.441.

Misapplication of Fiduciary Property or Property of a Financial Institution (Embezzlement) — Penal Code § 32.45. The Texas version of embezzlement. Occurs when a person in a position of trust — executor, trustee, financial manager, attorney, officer of a financial institution — intentionally or recklessly mishandles property in a way that creates a substantial risk of loss. Penalty scales from a Class C misdemeanor to a first-degree felony based on the value involved.

Fraudulent Securing of Document Execution — Penal Code § 32.46. Causing another person to sign or execute a document by deception. Frequently charged in real estate and elder-fraud cases.

Fraudulent Destruction, Removal, or Concealment of Writing — Penal Code § 32.47. Destroying or hiding a writing (contract, deed, will, record) with intent to defraud.

Simulating Legal Process — Penal Code § 32.48. Sending or delivering a document that falsely appears to be a court order, subpoena, or other official legal process.

Refusal to Execute Release of Fraudulent Lien or Claim — Penal Code § 32.49. Filing or refusing to release a known-fraudulent lien — often charged against sovereign-citizen filers.

Deceptive Preparation and Marketing of Academic Product — Penal Code § 32.50.

Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information (Identity Theft) — Penal Code § 32.51. Obtaining, possessing, transferring, or using another person’s identifying information — name, Social Security number, date of birth, account numbers, biometric data — with intent to harm or defraud. Penalty scales with the number of items possessed: a state jail felony for under 5 items, a first-degree felony for 50 or more. The most commonly charged identity-related Texas fraud offense.

Fraudulent, Substandard, or Fictitious Degree — Penal Code § 32.52. Using a fake academic degree for financial gain or to obtain employment.

Exploitation of Child, Elderly Individual, or Disabled Individual — Penal Code § 32.53. Using a child, elderly person (65+), or disabled individual for monetary gain through illegal or improper means. A third-degree felony — and frequently charged alongside theft or misapplication of fiduciary property.

Fraudulent or Fictitious Military Record — Penal Code § 32.54.

Financial Abuse of Elderly Individual — Penal Code § 32.55. The wrongful taking, appropriation, or use of an elderly person’s money, assets, or property. Penalty scales with the value taken, and most cases involve a family member, caregiver, or fiduciary as the accused.

Fraudulent Use, Possession, or Tampering With Gift Card or Gift Card Data — Penal Code § 32.56.

Real Property Fraud — Penal Code § 32.60. Knowingly executing or filing a fraudulent real estate document — deed, mortgage release, lien, or title transfer — with intent to defraud. A growing category as title-fraud schemes spread.

Malicious Solicitation of Disaster Victim — Penal Code § 32.61.

Computer Crimes (Chapter 33)

Breach of Computer Security — Penal Code § 33.02. Knowingly accessing a computer, network, or system without the owner’s effective consent. Penalty scales with intent and the value of the harm caused — from a Class B misdemeanor to a first-degree felony.

Online Solicitation Involving Fraud — Penal Code § 33.021.

Electronic Access Interference — Penal Code § 33.022. Intentionally interrupting or suspending access to a computer system or network without consent.

Electronic Data Tampering — Penal Code § 33.023. Altering, damaging, or deleting electronic data without authorization. Common in disgruntled-employee and ransomware cases.

Unlawful Decryption — Penal Code § 33.024. Decrypting encrypted private information without the owner’s consent. Penalty depends on the value of the data accessed.

Tampering With Direct Recording Electronic Voting Machine — Penal Code § 33.05.

Money Laundering (Chapter 34)

Texas Money Laundering — Penal Code § 34.02. Knowingly acquiring, concealing, possessing, transferring, or transporting the proceeds of criminal activity — or conducting financial transactions involving those proceeds. Penalty scales from a state jail felony ($2,500 to $30,000) to a first-degree felony ($300,000 or more), and applies even when the underlying offense is not separately charged.

Insurance Fraud (Chapter 35)

Insurance Fraud — Penal Code § 35.02. Knowingly preparing, presenting, or causing the presentation of false or misleading information in support of an insurance claim. Penalty scales from a Class C misdemeanor to a first-degree felony based on the claim amount.

Fraudulent Destruction, Removal, or Concealment of Writing (Insurance) — Penal Code § 35.025.

Health Care Fraud (Chapter 35A)

Health Care Fraud — Penal Code § 35A.02. Knowingly making false statements or representations to obtain a benefit or payment under a health care program — including private insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Most often charged against providers, billing companies, and home health agencies.

Texas Medicaid Fraud — Human Resources Code § 36.002. Obtaining Medicaid benefits or payments through false statements, false billing, or kickbacks. Investigated by the Texas Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, with significant overlap with federal Medicaid prosecutions.

Securities and Investment Fraud

Securities Fraud — Texas Securities Act. Selling securities through false representations, omissions of material fact, or fraudulent schemes. The Texas Securities Act carries punishment of up to 99 years or life in prison when the amount involved is $100,000 or more — one of the harshest penalty ranges of any white collar offense in Texas.

Sale of Unregistered Securities — Selling securities that are not registered with the Texas State Securities Board, or selling without an applicable exemption. Strict liability — no intent to defraud required.

Acting as Unregistered Dealer or Agent — Conducting securities transactions in Texas without the required dealer or agent registration.

Tax and Public Funds Offenses

Tax Fraud — Texas Tax Code § 151.7032 and related provisions. Knowingly underreporting tax owed, filing false returns, or failing to remit collected sales tax. Penalty depends on the amount of tax evaded.

Sales Tax Evasion — Texas Tax Code Chapter 151. Failing to collect, report, or remit sales tax owed to the State of Texas. Investigated by the Texas Comptroller’s Criminal Investigations Division.

Motor Fuel Tax Fraud — Texas Tax Code Chapter 162.

Abuse of Official Capacity — Penal Code § 39.02. A public servant misusing government property, services, personnel, or anything else of value entrusted to them. Penalty scales with the value misused.

Official Oppression — Penal Code § 39.03. A public servant intentionally subjecting another person to mistreatment or denial of rights they know to be unlawful.

Misuse of Official Information — Penal Code § 39.06. A public servant using confidential information obtained in their official capacity for personal gain — or sharing that information with others who use it for gain.

Bribery — Penal Code § 36.02. Offering, giving, soliciting, or accepting any benefit as consideration for a public servant’s decision, vote, or other official action. A second-degree felony regardless of the value involved.

Gift to Public Servant — Penal Code § 36.08. A public servant accepting gifts from people subject to their official jurisdiction — even without quid pro quo intent. Typically a Class A misdemeanor.

Tampering With Governmental Record — Penal Code § 37.10. Making, altering, presenting, or filing a false government record — driver’s licenses, court filings, tax records, business permits, and similar documents.

Learn more: Lying on Your Tax Return

Organized and Related Offenses

Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity — Penal Code § 71.02. Committing an underlying offense as a member of a criminal combination of three or more people. Automatically enhances the underlying offense by one punishment category — turning a state jail felony fraud into a third-degree felony, and so on.

Money Laundering Through an Enterprise — Penal Code §§ 34.02 and 71.02. Money laundering committed as part of a criminal combination.

Barratry and Solicitation of Professional Employment — Penal Code § 38.12. Improper solicitation of legal clients — typically charged against runners, cappers, or attorneys who pay non-lawyers to bring in cases. A third-degree felony for most violations.

Perjury — Penal Code § 37.02. Making a false statement under oath with intent to deceive. A Class A misdemeanor.

Aggravated Perjury — Penal Code § 37.03. Perjury committed during an official proceeding involving a material matter. A third-degree felony.

Tampering With or Fabricating Physical Evidence — Penal Code § 37.09. Altering, destroying, or concealing evidence with intent to impair its availability in an investigation or official proceeding. A third-degree felony — and frequently added to white collar prosecutions when defendants attempt to delete records or shred documents.

Who Investigates Texas White Collar Crimes?

Texas white collar cases are investigated by a mix of state and local agencies, often working in coordination with federal partners. Many county district attorney’s offices in major metropolitan areas have dedicated financial crimes or public integrity units that handle nothing but white collar prosecutions.

The most common investigating agencies in Texas white collar cases include:

• Local police department financial crimes units (Fort Worth PD, Dallas PD, Houston PD, etc.)
• County and district attorney financial crimes divisions
• The Texas Attorney General’s Office (Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, Consumer Protection Division)
• The Texas Department of Insurance Fraud Unit
• The Texas State Securities Board (TSSB)
• The Texas Comptroller’s Office Criminal Investigations Division
• El Departamento de Seguridad Pública de Texas
• The Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General

If any of these agencies have contacted you, treat it as an emergency. Do not speak with investigators before consulting a lawyer.

What Must the Prosecution Prove in a Texas White Collar Case?

In every Texas criminal prosecution, the burden rests entirely on the State. You have no obligation to prove your innocence. The standard is beyond a reasonable doubt — the highest legal standard in the American system.

The specific elements depend on the charge. Texas theft under Penal Code § 31.03 requires proof that the defendant unlawfully appropriated property with intent to deprive the owner. Fraudulent use or possession of identifying information under Penal Code § 32.51 requires proof that the defendant obtained, possessed, transferred, or used identifying information of another with intent to harm or defraud. Misapplication of fiduciary property under § 32.45 requires proof that a fiduciary intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly misapplied property in a manner that involved substantial risk of loss.

Intent is the element most frequently contested in Texas white collar crime cases. Financial records are often ambiguous. Business decisions that look suspicious in hindsight are not necessarily criminal. A skilled defense attorney attacks the State’s proof of intent — and if that proof cannot be established beyond a reasonable doubt, charges can be reduced or dismissed entirely.

Talk to a lawyer before you speak to investigators. Investigators are trained to gather statements that appear innocuous but become powerful evidence at trial. Contact Varghese Summersett for a confidential consultation.

What Are the Penalties for Texas White Collar Crimes?

Texas white collar crime penalties are driven primarily by the value of the property or loss involved. Most fraud and theft offenses use a graduated penalty scheme that ties the punishment range to the amount in question. The same conduct can be a Class C misdemeanor or a first-degree felony depending only on the dollar amount.

The Texas Theft and Fraud Penalty Ladder

The standard penalty ladder used for theft, fraud, misapplication of fiduciary property, credit card abuse, and many other Texas white collar offenses is:

• Class C Misdemeanor — value less than $100. Fine up to $500.
• Class B Misdemeanor — value $100 to less than $750. Up to 180 days in county jail and a $2,000 fine.
• Class A Misdemeanor — value $750 to less than $2,500. Up to 1 year in county jail and a $4,000 fine.
• State Jail Felony — value $2,500 to less than $30,000. 180 days to 2 years in state jail and a $10,000 fine.
• Third-Degree Felony — value $30,000 to less than $150,000. 2 to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
• Second-Degree Felony — value $150,000 to less than $300,000. 2 to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
• First-Degree Felony — value $300,000 or more. 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Common Texas White Collar Crime Penalty Ranges

• Theft (Penal Code § 31.03): Class C misdemeanor to first-degree felony
• Forgery (Penal Code § 32.21): Class A misdemeanor to first-degree felony, depending on the document and amount
• Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse (Penal Code § 32.31): State jail felony
• Misapplication of Fiduciary Property (Penal Code § 32.45): Class C misdemeanor to first-degree felony
• Fraudulent Use or Possession of Identifying Information (Penal Code § 32.51): State jail felony to first-degree felony, based on the number of items
• Money Laundering (Penal Code § 34.02): State jail felony to first-degree felony, based on amount
• Insurance Fraud (Penal Code § 35.02): Class C misdemeanor to first-degree felony, based on amount
• Health Care Fraud (Penal Code § 35A.02): Class C misdemeanor to first-degree felony, based on amount
• Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity (Penal Code § 71.02): One category higher than the underlying offense
• Securities Fraud (Texas Securities Act): Up to 99 years or life in prison if the amount involved is $100,000 or more

Beyond prison and fines, Texas white collar crime convictions almost always carry restitution orders requiring full repayment to the victim, civil liability under the Texas Theft Liability Act, and devastating collateral consequences for professionals — loss of licenses, bar membership, medical credentials, and security clearances.

How Do Penalty Enhancements Work in Texas White Collar Crime Cases?

Texas law contains numerous enhancements that move an offense up one or more punishment categories. Many white collar cases that start as a state jail felony end up as a third-degree or second-degree felony because of an enhancement. The most common enhancements include:

• Elderly or disabled victim — most fraud and theft offenses are enhanced one category if the victim is 65 or older or a disabled individual.
• Public servant or fiduciary status — offenses committed by a public servant in their official capacity, or by a Medicare provider or government contractor, are enhanced.
• Multiple victims or items — identity theft enhances based on the number of items of identifying information possessed.
• Aggregation — under Penal Code § 31.09, multiple thefts pursuant to one scheme or continuing course of conduct may be aggregated into a single, higher-grade offense.
• Engaging in organized criminal activity — when a white collar offense is committed as part of a criminal combination, the punishment increases by one category under Penal Code § 71.02.

Penalty enhancements are one of the most heavily contested areas in Texas white collar litigation. The difference between a state jail felony and a second-degree felony — between probation and a decade in prison — often turns on whether the State can prove an enhancement element beyond a reasonable doubt.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes People Make in Texas White Collar Crime Cases?

A la espera de contratar a un abogado

Texas white collar investigations often begin with a “voluntary” interview request, a subpoena for records, or a grand jury subpoena to a third party. By the time you are formally accused, the investigation is typically well advanced. Hiring experienced defense counsel the moment you sense an investigation can change the outcome entirely — including preventing an indictment from being filed at all.

Hablar con cualquier persona que no sea tu abogado

This includes co-workers, family, and friends. Any person you discuss the case with can be subpoenaed as a witness against you. If the prosecution believes you coordinated stories with others, you may also face tampering with a witness or obstruction charges. Say nothing to anyone until you have spoken to a lawyer.

Ignorar las opciones previas a la imputación

Before indictment, options exist that disappear later — persuading the prosecutor not to move forward, presenting exculpatory evidence to the grand jury, negotiating a pretrial diversion agreement, or making restitution that satisfies the complainant. The pre-indictment window is when experienced counsel can do the most good.

Trying to “fix” the financial issue without a lawyer

Many white collar suspects try to make the problem go away by returning money, signing promissory notes, or having a conversation with the alleged victim. These efforts almost always backfire. Statements made during these conversations become evidence. Repayment is helpful at sentencing, but only when it is done strategically and under the guidance of counsel.

Assuming the prosecution’s case is airtight

Financial crime cases look strong on paper but often have significant weaknesses. Document trails have gaps. Business records can have multiple innocent interpretations. Witnesses have credibility problems. Forensic accountants frequently find what investigators missed or misread. A skilled defense team knows where to look.

Why Does Defending Texas White Collar Crime Cases Require Specialized Expertise?

White collar defense is a fundamentally different discipline from most criminal defense work. Challenging an assault charge often comes down to witnesses and physical evidence. Challenging a Texas fraud case requires forensic accounting, a command of complex billing or banking systems, and the ability to follow a paper trail through thousands of pages of records. Most criminal attorneys never develop these capabilities.

Texas prosecutors in major metropolitan jurisdictions — Tarrant, Dallas, Harris, Bexar, Travis — have dedicated financial crimes units staffed by attorneys who handle nothing but white collar cases. They work closely with forensic accountants, certified fraud examiners, and computer forensic specialists. A defense team that cannot match that analytical capability is at a serious disadvantage from the start.

Varghese Summersett has invested deeply in the tools and expertise needed to defend these cases. Our team works with forensic accountants, former state and federal agents, and digital forensics experts to make sure every document-intensive financial matter is fully prepared from the defense side.

Protect your rights and your future. A Texas white collar investigation moves quickly, and delay only narrows your options. Call today to speak with an experienced Texas criminal defense attorney today.

What Is Asset Forfeiture in Texas White Collar Crime Cases?

Texas has its own civil asset forfeiture statute under Chapter 59 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. When the State believes property is contraband — defined to include proceeds of certain felony offenses, including most white collar crimes — it can seize and forfeit that property. This can happen through a civil proceeding that runs alongside the criminal case, and the impact on a family can be immediate and severe.

Defending against forfeiture is a specialized fight that runs parallel to the criminal case. Our attorneys understand both tracks and coordinate strategy across both proceedings. Protecting assets for your family while fighting the underlying charges requires an integrated approach from the very beginning.

Does Varghese Summersett Handle Texas Regulatory Defense?

Yes. Texas white collar allegations frequently trigger parallel investigations by state regulatory and licensing agencies. A criminal conviction can lead to professional discipline — and even an investigation that does not result in criminal charges can still end a career if the licensing agency reaches an adverse finding. Our team represents individuals and businesses in matters before:

• The Texas Attorney General’s Office
• The Texas State Securities Board (TSSB)
• The Texas Department of Insurance
• The Texas Medical Board
• The State Bar of Texas
• The Texas Real Estate Commission
• The Texas Department of Banking
• The Texas Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General

Regulatory defense work often requires early, proactive engagement — particularly in internal investigations, where findings may determine whether a criminal referral follows.

Qué esperar de Varghese Summersett

When you hire Varghese Summersett for a Texas white collar case, you get a team — not a solo attorney. Your case will be handled by attorneys with real Texas courtroom experience, former prosecutors who understand how the State builds these cases, and support professionals who know how to organize and analyze complex financial records under tight deadlines.

We take a proactive approach from day one. That means engaging prosecutors early when it benefits the client, preparing substantive pre-indictment submissions, fighting hard at the bond hearing, and identifying weaknesses in the State’s theory before charges are ever filed. We work with forensic accountants and former agents to ensure that even the most document-intensive matter is fully prepared from the defense side.

Our efforts have led, in many cases, to the complete dismissal of charges. In others, we have secured deferred adjudication, pretrial diversion, or probation where the prosecution sought prison. Even in cases where a favorable outcome at trial is difficult, our negotiators have consistently obtained results well below what the State first offered. We tell clients the truth about their situation — and then we fight as hard as the facts allow.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Texas White Collar Crimes

What is the difference between a Texas state and federal white collar charge?

State charges are prosecuted by county or district attorneys under the Texas Penal Code, typically when the conduct is contained within Texas and does not involve federal institutions, programs, or interstate communications. Federal charges are brought by the U.S. Attorney’s Office when conduct involves federal laws, federally insured financial institutions, federal benefit programs, or crosses state boundaries using mail or wire communications. Federal cases typically carry longer potential sentences and use more rigid sentencing guidelines. Texas cases often allow for deferred adjudication, pretrial diversion, and probation that are not available federally.

What should I do if a Texas investigator contacts me?

Do not speak with the investigator. Politely say you would like to consult with a lawyer first, and end the conversation. Do not discuss the matter with anyone other than a criminal defense attorney. The period before charges are filed is often the most critical window in the entire case — experienced counsel can make a significant difference during that time.

How long does a Texas white collar investigation typically last?

Texas white collar investigations can range from weeks to years, depending on the complexity. Simple theft and credit card abuse cases may be charged within days. Complex embezzlement, money laundering, or organized fraud cases involving forensic accounting typically take months or longer. The statute of limitations for most Texas white collar felonies is between three and seven years, and certain offenses involving fiduciaries or elderly victims have longer limitations periods.

Can Texas white collar charges be resolved without a conviction?

Yes. Texas offers several pathways that can avoid a conviction, including pretrial diversion, deferred adjudication, and dismissal with restitution. For first-time offenders, prosecutors often have discretion to resolve a case in a way that does not result in a permanent conviction. The availability of these options depends on the offense level, the prosecutor’s office, the amount of loss, and the strength of the case. An experienced defense attorney can identify which options realistically apply to your situation.

Does Varghese Summersett handle Texas white collar cases across the state?

Yes. Our attorneys handle Texas white collar cases throughout Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, Collin, Parker, Johnson, Wise, Harris, Fort Bend, and surrounding counties. We have offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, Southlake, and Houston.

Contact Our Texas White Collar Crime Defense Attorneys

A Texas white collar investigation or indictment is among the most serious situations a person or business can face. Prosecutors in Texas’s major counties have dedicated financial crimes units, work closely with forensic accountants, and pursue these cases aggressively. You need a team with the experience, the analytical capability, and the determination to fight back at every stage.

Varghese Summersett’s defense team includes former state and federal prosecutors, Board Certified Criminal Law Specialists, and attorneys who have handled some of the most complex financial crime cases in Texas. We work with forensic accountants and former agents to make sure every defense is fully prepared — from the pre-indictment investigation through trial and sentencing.

Call us or contact us online for a confidential consultation. Schedule a free consultation today.