White collar crimes are different from garden variety crimes because they are known for occurring in professional settings, such as businesses, corporations and other operations. A white collar criminal might blend in better with the average citizen, but if found out and convicted, can be sentenced to imprisonment just as any other criminal. Sociologist Edward H. Sutherland coined the term white collar crime in 1939 while delivering a speech. Corporate scandals and high profile cases are often considered white collar crimes.
White Collar Crimes Explained
White collar crime is a phrase that describes fraudulent criminal conduct by a government or business person. The following crimes may be included in the concept of white collar crimes:
- Insider trading and other types of securities and commodities fraud;
- Fraud (on any agency, including a corporation or a corporate representative)(e.g. insurance fraud, bankruptcy fraud);
- Bribery (of an individual or entity);
- Embezzlement (the white collar equivalent of stealing - the perpetrator takes money or other property that is not rightfully his);
- Money laundering;
- Copyright infringement;
- Forgery; and
- Identity theft.
White collar crimes, unlike blue collar crimes, are not known to be violent in nature. They usually involve fraudulent ways to obtain money or other assets. Greed is at the root of white collar crime often. Business, corporate and government office environments present opportunities for white collar crime daily. This is because of the money that is involved in these situations.
When you hear about financial scandals and government corruption, you are hearing about white collar crime. White collar crime is usually associated with individuals who are financially privileged, compared to their blue collar counter parts.
The benefit of the white collar crime is not always the individual. Some of these crimes are committed in the interest of the agency, such as false advertising, company overcharges or price fixing.
White collar crimes are generally perpetrated through the use of either paperwork or computers or other electronic devices. They are generally intended to benefit either the individual committing the crime or an agency such as a corporation.
Getting Legal Help
If you are concerned about your rights or freedom because of a white collar crime, you can get help from an experienced criminal defense attorney who handles white collar cases. A attorney will help you prepare your case, get you the best deal possible based on the facts of your case and stand by your side throughout any court proceedings.
