Due to the non-violent nature of white-collar crimes, many people are not aware of the penalties if a person is convicted of such crimes. White-collar crime are often federal offenses that impose heavy penalties.
If you or a loved one is charged with a white-collar crime, it is important to understand what you are up against. There are a few key aspects to such crimes and the court process.
Different types
White collar crimes cover a few different types of financial offenses. Some of the most common include:
- Embezzlement
- Money Laundering
- Racketeering
- Bank fraud
- Identity theft
- Cybercrime
In general, charges that involve taking or utilizing other parties’ funds without their consent fall under a white-collar financial crime.
Claimant
The party suffering from the financial loss may bring a civil claim against the offending individual. Even if the party does not press charges, the offending party may not be in the clear, because the Government also has the option to bring charges against the offender. In either instance, the Government argues the case and must prove the guilt of the accused.
Penalties
Along with having to pay restitution for the funds that the guilty party unlawfully took, the defendant also faces additional punishment. According to the law, those who receive a white-collar conviction may face penalties such as:
- Prison time
- House arrest
- Community confinement
- Forfeitures
The courts usually reserve such punishment for cases involving large amounts of money. It is also important to note that there are certain misdemeanor charges that may carry a smaller fine and little or no jail time.
These are a few of the main aspects of a white-collar case. There is, however, more information to understand. Reviewing the law is necessary to gain a full understanding of how it may affect your particular situation.
