What Can Happen to You if You Commit a White Collar Crime?

Posted By Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass || 14-Dec-2011

White-collar crime is a phrase used to define non-violent crimes, usually committed in a workplace or professional setting, involving the use of deceit to obtain money or property. Some common types of white-collar crimes include embezzlement, tax evasion and money laundering.

White-collar crime is punished using the same principles as any other crime. The punishments associated with conviction or through plea-bargaining include probation, court-imposed fines, orders to pay restitution, community service and even prison time. Several white-collar cases have received major publicity; Bernie Madoff received a sentence of 150 years for his massive fraud scheme, estimated to have cost investors a net of between $10 and $17 billion dollars.

White-collar crime investigations can become very drawn-out. The confidential nature of many business transactions makes gathering evidence and sifting through information an arduous task. This is usually a very stressful time for the subjects of investigation, who usually have little experience with the criminal justice system. Every relevant aspect of a subject’s life, from personal conversations to spending habits, may be scrutinized.

A widely held myth supposes that white-collar criminals who are convicted receive “easy time,” meaning sentences in minimum security facilities. In reality, the facility you are placed in is left to the discretion of the authorities, and there is no guarantee where you will be placed.

Many white-collar crimes also give rise to civil liability through lawsuits brought either by victims or the state. This liability is created in addition to any criminal penalties that may be imposed by your case. These lawsuits will seek to disgorge the defendant of any profits as well as force them to forfeit any assets they may have purchased with them.

The social stigma attached to white-collar crime is serious. Because these crimes involve deceit and dishonesty, they are considered especially egregious and reprehensible. This can make a conviction, or even an accusation, very damaging to your reputation and employment prospects.

If you would like to speak with a criminal defense attorney in Plano about your case, call the Law Offices of Jeffrey C. Grass at . Our firm is dedicated to providing quality services on a personal level.