The phrase white collar crime was originally coined by sociologist Edwin Sutherland in 1939. The phrase was originally used to characterize a number of nonviolent crimes involving some type of deception and typically committed by business professionals or public officials. There is no fixed definition of white collar crime, although it usually includes bribery, embezzlement, fraud, forgery, and/or violations of trust committed by corporations or individuals engaged in commerce. While many white collar crimes are still usually committed in commercial situations for financial gain, the types crimes included and the types of individuals accused are broadening.
White collar crimes can be prosecuted at the state or federal level, depending on whether a state or federal law was broken. In fact, there are even some situations where both the state and federal government may choose to prosecute. Historically, many white collar crimes have received lenient punishment from a criminal justice system that considered white collar crimes to be less serious than violent crimes. However, today the trend is for stricter punishment of white collar crimes in recognition of the financial damage they inflict upon society. If convicted, these crimes usually result in substantial prison sentences, large monetary fines, and restitution to the victims of the crime.
Because many white collar crimes involve computers, it is important to have a Fort Worth white collar crimes attorney proficient in both modern information technology and the law. The Law Offices of Roderick C. White have both the legal and technical expertise to aggressively defend against white collar crime charges. Contact us immediately for a free initial consultation with a Fort Worth criminal lawyer, if you or a loved one are accused of or suspected of committing any white collar crime.
Below are links to a non-exhaustive list of some of the more common white collar crimes that we are prepared to aggressively assist with in either state or federal court:
