What Is White Collar Crime?

 Posted on May 01, 2017 in White Collar Crimes

White collar crime is a broad legal term that encompasses many different areas of criminal law. Generally, there are two major ways of defining what a white-collar crime is:

• Crimes committed by individuals who come from affluent socioeconomic environments, or crimes committed by people who through the nature of their job have been put in positions of financial trust.
• Crimes committed involving an economic offense, often nonviolent, and usually incorporate a theft or fraud.

Are the Penalties for White Collar Crime More Severe?

That is a question for your Norwalk Connecticut white collar defense attorney. The penalty Is nearly entirely dependent on the crime in question. Most penalties carry a large monetary fine because of the nature of a white-collar offense. Types of white collar crimes include but are not limited to:

• Blackmail;
• Bank fraud;
• Bribery;
• Cellular phone fraud;
• Computer fraud;
• Currency schemes;
• Embezzlement;
• Credit card fraud; and
• Extortion.

The penalties for these various crimes vary depending on what you are charged with, such as if you are charged with a state crime or a federal crime, as well as the amount of money involved in the crime. If the fraud extends beyond the state of Connecticut it then involves interstate commerce which makes it a federal offense punishable by federal sentence guidelines.

What Defenses Are Available in White Collar Crime Cases?

Many white-collar crimes turn on what the defendant’s intent was. It is up to the state to prove that you intended to break the law. Many times a defense lawyer will focus their entire case creating a reasonable doubt about their client’s intention to deceive or defraud.

Deferred Prosecution Agreements

A Deferred Prosecution Agreement or DPA is a settlement between the defendant and the prosecution. The settlement generally will not involve a formal conviction, rather an agreement where the defendant is usually responsible for paying a monetary fine. In addition to the fine, the DPA will usually govern the defendant’s future actions. For example, the owner of a company that provides financial services may be subjected to a DPA that proscribes him or her and their company from engaging in business in a certain way or engaging in a business altogether.

Have You Been Charged with a White-Collar Crime?

The first step is asking a knowledgeable attorney about your charges. Daniel P. Weiner has over two decades of experience protecting his client’s rights when they have been charged with a crime. When the state or federal government files charges, they are bringing the full breadth of the government's resources against you. You need a fearless and dauntless attorney to defend your rights. Contact a skilled Norwalk, CT white collar defense attorney today at 203-348-5846 to schedule your free consultation today.

Sources:

http://www.ckfraud.org/whitecollar.html

https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/tag/non-prosecution-agreement/