White Collar Crime in Connecticut

 Posted on March 21, 2019 in White Collar Crimes

Most people think that white collar crime is the province of Wall Street and the wealthy; in reality, white collar crime is the name used for a wide variety of crimes that do not involve violence, but do involve cheating or lying. It is a serious charge to lay at someone’s door, and if you have been accused of such conduct, it is imperative to have an experienced attorney on your side who understands this type of law.

An Ever-Changing Term

Because historically, the ‘white collar’ has been used to denote a richer and ostensibly less violent class of people, but also the hallmark of professionals such as lawyers and accountants, the term ‘white collar crime’ has been used to describe any crime involving dishonesty or fraud. Examples to be found in the Connecticut General Statutes include (but are not limited to) fraud (more specifically mail fraud, credit card fraud, insurance fraud, and the like), embezzlement, money laundering, bribery, identity theft, forgery, tax evasion, creating or passing counterfeit bills, and many more.

In recent years, the term has evolved yet again to include more ‘new’ crimes, such as those requiring technology to commit. Cyber crimes fall under the realm of white collar crime, even though they can at times be violent - for example, stalking can turn violent if the behavior is not stopped or the alleged perpetrator is not arrested. It is important to keep this umbrella term in mind, even if it is inexact, because sometimes judges, in particular, may try to make ‘examples’ out of ‘white collar criminals.’

You Are Entitled to a Defense

Especially in this day and age, being charged with a white collar crime can feel like the death knell for your professional well-being, especially if alleged impropriety with money is involved. However, just because someone is charged does not mean they are guilty, and it is important to keep in mind that you are entitled to assert your innocence. Financial crimes often wind up in the public eye because they are such a betrayal of trust, but having an attorney on your side can help mitigate the potential issues in that regard.

Keep in mind that other potential legal causes of action may come out of this type of episode - for example, in some situations, it may be possible to civilly sue for defamation if your reputation is damaged by malicious gossip. Alternatively, it is possible in some situations to find yourself on the proverbial hook in both civil and criminal court - criminal conviction meaning a jail sentence, obviously, but a civil verdict resulting in restitution owed to any victims.

Contact a Stamford White Collar Crime Attorney

When something as serious as a white collar crime charge is leveled at you, you need an experienced Stamford criminal defense attorney that is well-versed in today’s technological age and in the principles of the law surrounding the charge. The Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner prides itself on being as thorough and dogged as our clients need us to be, and we will work hard for you so that you get your fair day in court. Call our Stamford offices today at 203-348-5846 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_952.htm