White collar crime is a broad legal term that encompasses various types of criminal offenses that are non-violent in nature, and usually involve fraud and illegal business or financial transactions. Bank fraud, credit card fraud, social security fraud, identity theft, money laundering, counterfeiting, insider trading, identity theft and forgery are examples of white collar crimes. These crimes are prosecuted seriously by federal and state attorneys.
By way of background, Edwin Sutherland, a notable sociologist, first coined the term, "white collar crime" in 1939 when he argued that there must be significant differences between crimes like burglary, robbery and murder, which he categorized as blue collar crimes and the ones he categorized as white collar ones, such as fraud. Sutherland went further saying that white collar crimes are more injurious to the society than their blue collar counterparts, and that white collar offenders are treated with more lenience.
The legal term was originally intended to categorize offenders, but it has been used since then to include a wide range of nonviolent offenses. Today the Department of Justice defines white collar crime as "offenses of non violent illegal activities which primarily entail traditional ideas of deception, manipulation, deceit, subterfuge and breach of trust."
One of the most common types of crimes committed by white collar workers is embezzlement. This type of offense takes place when a person dishonestly handles money that is entrusted to his or her care. For instance, when an employee takes money from a corporate account, and spends the money for his or her personal gain.
Another type that is often associated with this form of crime is fraud. The most common types of fraud today include internet fraud, credit card fraud, commercial fraud, phone or telemarketing fraud, mail fraud, insurance fraud and healthcare fraud.
If you are notified that you are under investigation of a white collar crime, it is wise if that you hire an attorney right away. Remember that you are not obligated to speak with law enforcement officers at all about the alleged offense and it is wise that you do not do so before consulting with a criminal defense attorney. All too often those under investigation for white collar crimes mistakenly believe they can talk their way out of an arrest.
Just bear the things I discussed in this article about this particular type of crime so that you won't commit another mistake when you are charged with it.
Disclaimer: Any information contained in this article should not be construed as legal advice.
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