The majority of "white collar" crimes are committed by salaried professionals using deception, as opposed to violence or force, to perpetrate theft or fraud. These crimes can be either misdemeanor or felony infractions of the law, and these types of crimes can be prosecuted in state court, federal court, or both.
There are many types of these offenses and most involved theft by deception or fraud. Such crimes include offenses such as:
o Bank Fraud
o Bribery
o Credit Card Fraud
o Forgery
o Embezzlement
o Tax Evasion
Individuals convicted of committing a white collar crime can face punishments such as fines, restitution, forfeiture, or imprisonment. Additionally, individuals accused or convicted of a white collar crime may be subject to additional consequences such as loss of employment and loss of pension. Situations such as these can threaten the financial stability and future of both the accused and their family.
In many cases, individuals under investigation for these crimes are aware that they are under investigation. Suspected individuals may be the focus of internal investigations or private investigations. White collar crimes do not represent an immediate threat to society; therefore, white collar crimes are often investigated by federal authorities for a year or more before charges are filed against an individual suspected of committing these types of crimes. Individuals who believe they are under investigation for a white collar crime should contact an attorney for assistance.
If you are currently under investigation, have been contacted by law enforcement for questioning, or have received a subpoena for records or testimony, you should contact a lawyer immediately. Individuals should never agree to speak with law enforcement officials in regard to white collar crime investigations until they have discussed the matter with their attorney. You want to be sure that information provided to law enforcement officers cannot not be used against you in court. For that reason, it is imperative to consult an attorney as soon as you learn you are under investigation.
Disclosure: I am not an attorney. This information is correct to the best of my knowledge. Laws may change over time. If you are facing federal financial or fraud charges, consider at least speaking with an attorney; many offer free consultations.
For more information on these types of fraud or financial crimes, Visit http://www.criminaldefenseattorneynj.com/white-collar-crimes/
