Many people do not consider white collar crimes to be serious, but nothing could be farther from the truth. If you have been charged with a white collar crime, you could be facing major consequences, ranging from fines and prison time to a ruined reputation.
At SMT Legal, we understand these crimes and we know what it takes to defend those charged with them. Our knowledgeable and experienced team will be your advocate and build a defense around you with the goal of getting the charge reduced or dismissed. When you need an experienced white collar crimes lawyer, call us today.
What Does White Collar Mean
In many ways, the term “white collar crime” seems to lessen the severity of the crimes being committed. Generally, a white collar crime is one that typically involves stealing money from a company and is often done by people who have important positions within the company.
- Conviction of a white collar crime can land a person in prison and result in major financial consequences.
Aside from criminal penalties, a white collar crime can ruin your reputation and professional career. It will result in a permanent mark on your criminal record.
Examples Of White Collar Crimes
There are many types of white collar crimes. Perhaps the most common is embezzlement. This is a type of financial theft that arises when an employee within an organization takes money from a company and places them into personal accounts by illegal methods. In Pennsylvania, we see embezzlement crimes in the form of:
- Theft by deception
- Theft by extortion
- Theft of services
There are other kinds of white collar crimes, including:
- Tax fraud and tax evasion
- Computer crimes
- Bank fraud
- Credit card fraud
- Access fraud
- Real estate fraud
- Mail and wire fraud
- Insurance fraud
- Mortgage fraud
- Forgery
- Identity theft
- RICO and racketeering charges
The penalties for white collar crimes are not the same across the board and depend on what a person has been charged with. In general, these crimes will fall into the categories below:
- Summary Offense: up to 90 days in jail and a $300 fine
- Third Degree Misdemeanor: up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine
- Second Degree Misdemeanor: up to two years in jail and a $5,000 fine
- First Degree Misdemeanor: up to five years in jail and a $10,000 fine
- Third Degree Felony: up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine
- Second Degree Felony: up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine
What We Can Do
If you or a loved one are facing allegations of committing a white collar crime, please seek legal assistance immediately. DO NOT speak to prosecutors before getting advice from an attorney. As you can see above, the consequences of a guilty verdict can be detrimental.
