What are white-collar crimes? What should you do if you are accused of one? If you're facing charges for a white-collar crime, it's important to understand the legal implications. Here's what you need to know about white-collar crimes and the criminal justice system.
What Is a White-Collar Crime?
A white-collar crime is a non-violent crime typically committed by individuals or businesses to make financial gains. Such crimes are usually perpetrated in the scope of an occupation or business, making them difficult crimes to detect and prosecute. In other words, due to the nature of these crimes, criminal activity is often disguised as a legitimate business venture.
Examples of white-collar crimes include:
- Fraud
- Lying to federal agencies
- Wire fraud
- Money laundering
- Insider trading
- Copywrite infringement
- Ponzi schemes
- And more
These types of offenses frequently involve complex schemes organized through networks of people and companies, posing a unique challenge to investigators that traditional crimes do not present. Most governments around the world attempt to combat such activities by implementing legislation and combining resources between law enforcement agencies to combat this type of crime within their region.
What Are the Consequences Of Conviction For A White Collar Crime?
The consequences of a conviction for a white-collar crime can be significant and long-lasting. Sentences typically involve hefty fines, restitution payments to victims, or even incarceration. The repercussions can extend beyond the resolution of the criminal case, including banning those convicted from certain types of professional activities and social stigmatization or ostracized from one's community.
In some cases, an individual may face civil liability as well and be obligated to pay damages for losses that occurred as a result of their actions. Those who have been convicted can also experience difficulties when attempting to find suitable employment or housing upon completion of their sentence, as employers and landlords may choose not to associate with someone who has been found guilty of a white-collar crime.
Do You Need A Lawyer For White Collar Crimes?
The skills of a well-seasoned lawyer are necessary to help protect those accused. Being charged with a white-collar crime can have overwhelming consequences and result in serious punishments. It is therefore important to have strong legal representation to ensure that your rights are not violated and you get the best possible outcome for your case. A knowledgeable attorney familiar with white-collar criminal defense will be able to provide you with sound advice on mitigating factors, defenses, and other options such as plea bargaining, and will negotiate the most optimal settlement on your behalf.
At Corrigan Welbourn Stokkes, APLC, our legal team has extensive experience representing clients accused of white-collar crimes; employing trusted strategies to protect their rights and help them receive favorable outcomes. Reach out to us today if you find yourself in need of an experienced lawyer for your white-collar criminal case. Conviction of a white-collar crime can have lifelong consequences. If you are under investigation or have been charged with a white-collar crime, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
An attorney can help you understand the charges against you and your options for defending yourself. Contact our firm today for a free consultation to discuss your case with one of our attorneys.