Most of our readers in Florida have probably heard the term “white collar crime” before. We throw around these terms on a daily basis, but we may not even stop to think what they mean. So, what makes a certain type of criminal charge a “white collar” crime?
Financial, non-violent crimes
For the most part, when those in the legal community refer to “white collar” crimes, they are referring to criminal charges that involve non-violent financial crimes. Ultimately, the goal of “white collar” crime is usually financial gain. For example, bribery, counterfeiting, fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, tax evasion and even insider trading are all crimes that are typically referred to under the umbrella of “white collar” crimes.
Another thing that makes charges of white collar crimes different from other types of crimes is that the law enforcement investigations into these types of crimes can be long and detailed, involving mountains of paperwork and records sometimes. And, the investigations can involve state and federal agencies, meaning that defendants may ultimately face criminal charges in state or federal court. Anyone who has been the subject of a white collar crime investigation knows that their records and finances may be subject to intense scrutiny.
If you are facing this type of situation, understanding your rights and the legal protections available to you is crucial. The complexity of white collar crime charges can oftentimes be the downfall of the prosecution efforts in these cases. Planning your criminal defense efforts carefully – right from the start – can make all the difference in how your white collar crime case ends.