What Are The Most Common White Collar Crimes and Penalties?

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When people think of criminal activity they usually consider things such as burglary, robbery, and theft. There are, however, many other types of crimes that are considered white-collar crimes. White-collar crimes are crimes committed by professionals in the workplace. If you get charged and convicted of white-collar crime it can have a devastating impact on you and your family. If you are suspected of committing criminal activity or charged with a crime, it is essential to seek legal help from an experienced Carrollton criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Common White Collar Crimes

White-collar crimes are non-violent crimes that are typically carried out in commercial settings. Some of the most common white-collar crimes include:

  • Embezzlement
  • Credit card fraud
  • Identity fraud 
  • Money laundering
  • Securities fraud
  • Intellectual property theft
  • Bankruptcy fraud
  • Tax evasion
  • Telemarketing fraud

 

White-collar crimes may be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on factors such as the dollar amount of the crime and whether the crime is a federal offense, among others. While they do not cause physical harm to others, these types of crimes may still carry a variety of penalties including a jail sentence, fines, retribution, community service, and probation. Most importantly, if you are convicted of white-collar crime, it will be part of your record and you could have trouble getting a job, getting a loan, or getting into college.

Misdemeanors and Felonies

White-collar crimes may be classified as a misdemeanor or felony and could be a federal offense. In general, misdemeanors carry lower penalties upon conviction than felonies or federal crimes. Federal crimes are prosecuted through the federal court system. Different types of crimes carry different penalties. For instance, if you are convicted of misdemeanor embezzlement you could face a year in prison. If you are convicted of felony embezzlement, the penalty could be up to 10 years in prison. In all cases, you should quickly and aggressively defend any white-collar criminal charges. You want to avoid prosecution and conviction.

Defending White Collar Crimes

White-collar crimes can be extremely complex. Sometimes the evidence is located in a computer and a forensic computer specialist will need to evaluate the data to locate the pertinent information.  You need help from a Carrollton criminal defense attorney to protect your rights and defend your innocence. It is particularly important to obtain an attorney as quickly as possible because you want to have plenty of time to investigate and prepare your defense.

Your criminal defense attorney will evaluate your case and review the evidence. There are many options available to defend your case, depending on the circumstances. Your attorney will immediately begin to assist you by trying to obtain low or no bail so you do not need to spend time in jail. Cases such as these can be lengthy and you need to get the help of a skilled attorney as soon as possible. If you are being investigated for a possible crime or have been charged with a white-collar crime, don’t delay. Contact our legal team at Moffitt Law, LLC for a free consultation today.

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