The term white collar crime encompasses a large number of “non-violent” offenses in Pennsylvania. But just because they are not violent crimes does not mean that the penalties are lenient.
In fact, if convicted of a white collar crime, you can suffer some of the most severe penalties under the law. In addition to losing your freedom, a conviction can ruin your reputation and employability in the future.
Being charged with a white collar crime is a stressful situation. It can make a person and their family feel hopeless and scared for the future.
White collar crime charges do not mean that you are guilty. You have the right to fight back and defend your liberties to avoid a conviction.
Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney Christopher P. Thomas can help you get started by answering your questions and providing a free legal evaluation.
Our Pittsburgh Criminal Attorneys have over a decade of experience in successfully fighting for people who have been accused of white collar crimes. He will listen to your story and offer options for you to make the best decision about how to fight back against the white collar crime charges.
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All of the crimes have the same things in common: the offender intentionally tried to wrongfully take money from a person or organization – and did so through deceit, or using knowledge they should not have had, in order to gain or make a profit for themselves. Generally, the extent of the penalties imposed will depend on the amount of money the prosecution can prove has been taken.
The following is a list of just some of the crimes that are considered white collar crimes in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:
Each act is a separate charge, so charges can multiply – and quickly become complex. The more crimes you are charged with, the more penalties severe the penalties become.
In addition, you may also be subject to federal jurisdiction if:
Generally speaking, it is very difficult to execute a white collar crime that does not use either electronic communication or the mail system, so facing federal charges is not uncommon. An experienced attorney is a necessity in helping you make sense of it all.
The penalties for white collar crimes are directly correlated to the amount of money stolen or defrauded. However, that is not the only factor. The type of victim and the number of offenses can also add to the severity of the penalties inflicted.
For example, if your victim is a person over the age of 60, your charges will automatically increase by one degree. So, if your original charge is normally considered a second degree misdemeanor, you will receive a first degree misdemeanor charge if your victim is 60 years of age or older.
White collar crimes have a wide range of penalties spanning from a summary offense to a felony:
Summary Offense:
Third Degree Misdemeanor:
Second Degree Misdemeanor:
First Degree Misdemeanor:
Third Degree Felony:
Second Degree Felony:
Here are just a few examples of the penalties you can face in Pennsylvania if you are arrested for a white collar crime:
Credit Card Fraud:
Insurance Fraud:
Identity Theft:
Passing Bad Checks:
Your reputation, your future and your freedom are on the line. You need an excellent attorney to aggressively defend your rights.
Our experienced Pittsburgh Crime Attorneys will thoroughly investigate your case, gather all evidence and closely examine all police reports, witness testimony, and documents pertinent to your arrest.
We work to significantly increase your chances of having your charges reduced or withdrawn by building a strong defense strategy. We will make sure we get answers to all questions to aid in proving your innocence as well as search for any holes in the prosecution’s case.
A great attorney not only understands the court system but also has compassion for the clients’ situation. That compassion has the capacity to carry over when it is time for hearings and sentencing, negotiating with prosecutors, and arguing your case before a judge.
Pittsburgh Criminal Attorney Christopher Thomas is a skilled and compassionate attorney who will fight for your liberties.
Call 412-765-3345 for a free case evaluation. Our attorneys are available by phone, email or in-person.
SMT Legal attorneys believe in aggressively representing our clients while maintaining the personal compassion needed when counseling clients through difficult situations and navigating a complex legal system. Contact us today.
