The term "White Collar Crime" is used a lot in the news and media. What does it really mean? White collar crime is an act of theft or other criminal conduct which violates a corporate or government officer's fiduciary duties. If a person is acting in a position of financial trust or management for a client, a business, or a government agency, and they do something illegal, such as stealing the company's funds, then that person has committed a white collar crime.
These cases are taken seriously by the prosecution, and the penalties can be severe, including years of imprisonment and huge fines. At the same time, these cases can be problematic for prosecutors to prosecute, because of their complexity. In order to win at trial, the prosecutor has to prove that the person actually intended to commit a criminal act. Actual intent is difficult to prove. The prosecutor has to prove the person's state of mind and, at the same time, present complex financial information to a jury that has to actually understand what the prosecutor is trying to prove. White collar crimes offer criminal defense attorneys many ways to defend their clients against such charges.
If you are accused, suspected of, or arrested for a white collar crime call a lawyer immediately and never offer any information to the police or investigators. Once the police have questioned you and gotten the information they need, they then may arrest you. Thus, in white collar criminal cases, it is critical for the person under investigation, to get legal advise as soon as they are served with a subpoena, receive a phone call from an investigator or the local police, or find his/her home or business being searched by state or federal agents.
Often these cases can be dealt with through negotiations with the police and the prosecutors involved in the investigation - usually the local district attorney's office. Our goal is to get the case dismissed before the client is ever arrested. This is extremely critical as the client's entire career as a corporate or government officer may be on the line.
White collar crimes involve the use of fraud or deception to take money or property from others. They do not usually include violence or threats of violence. These are serious crimes which can result in fines and imprisonment.
Most White collar crimes are as follows:
- Fraud
- Credit Card Theft
- Identity Theft
- Writing Bad Checks
- Embezzlement
- Health Care Fraud
- Insurance Fraud
- Securities Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Internet Fraud
If you have been charged with committing a white collar crime you should contact Daniels & Taylor, P.C. immediately for a free office consultation. We have the skills and experience to advise and defend you through all stages of your case.
