What Are White Collar Crimes?
“White collar” is used to refer to crimes that are financially motivated and nonviolent and that are committed by business and government professionals. This type of criminal activity was first defined by Edwin Sutherland, a sociologist, as “a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation.” White collar crimes typically include:
- Fraud
- Bribery
- Ponzi schemes
- Insider trading
- Embezzlement
- Cybercrime
- Mail fraud
- Copyright infringement
- Health or safety law violations
- Money laundering
- Identity theft
- Blackmail
- Forgery
The term “white collar” has long referred to professional and business individuals who typically wear white shirts and ties as opposed to “blue collar” laborers who work in manual labor or factory jobs.
White Collar Crimes in Arizona
It is important to know that the state of Arizona takes white collar crime very seriously. The state classifies white collar crimes as either misdemeanors or felonies with the severity of the charge depending on the number of charges involved, the amount of money taken and how much others are affected by the outcome of these criminal actions. In many cases, white collar crimes are not prosecuted by the state but are actually prosecuted by federal prosecutors. A federal criminal charge is different from a state charge and could result in far more serious consequences. Those who are accused of federal crimes must act quickly to defend themselves. If you have been charged with a white collar crime, be sure to contact the criminal defense attorneys at the Oswalt Law Group in Phoenix. While white collar criminals are not considered “dangerous” when compared to violent offences, they are still criminal charges that should be taken seriously. In some ways, it can be difficult to defend a white collar criminal charge because it may be harder to show that the defendant did not intend to defraud anyone. White collar crimes have a higher conviction rate than many violent crimes, so it is vital that those who are accused of a white collar crimes have professional legal representation they can count on. The Oswalt Law Group is happy to provide a skilled criminal defense attorney to help those accused of white collar crimes. Building a defense can be difficult without experienced legal help. Let our team of attorneys help you make restitution when appropriate and work to minimize the consequences of any criminal charges you may face.