Midlothian, United States – /McCarty-Larson, PLLC/
While not an official legal classification of crime, such as felony and misdemeanor, the term “white-collar crime” is a widely accepted term to describe a category of non-violent and financially motivated crimes. Criminal Defense Attorney Robin McCarty, founding and senior partner at McCarty-Larson, is a former law enforcement officer and former Tarrant County Prosecutor and has a multi-faceted perspective used in white-collar criminal defense.
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What is a White Collar Crime?
According to the Texas Penal Code, white-collar crimes involve misappropriating someone else’s money or property for financial gain, often through deception. The term “white-collar crime” has been used since around 1940. The term is derived from the button-up shirts with white collars worn by business people who are typically in the position to commit these types of crimes. You do not have to be in a position of wealth or power to have committed the offense.
The Most Common Types of White Collar Crimes
There are different types of financially motivated crimes, but some are more common than others. Here are the most frequently committed white-collar crimes.
Corporate Fraud
Corporate fraud involves intentionally misrepresenting a company’s financial standing to make it look more profitable and attractive.
Tax Evasion
Tax evasion is the act of purposefully evading paying taxes by failing to file, falsifying information, or illegally transferring property to avoid tax implications.
Healthcare Fraud
Healthcare fraud may be perpetrated by those that work in the healthcare system or those that are accessing care in some way. Crimes may include overcharging an insurance provider, charging a provider for services not rendered, or a person using another’s insurance coverage or falsifying records to attain certain types of insurance.
Money Laundering
This crime involves hiding money gained through illegal acts by buying and selling assets to provide a false record of its acquisition.
Embezzlement
The act of embezzlement occurs when an individual or group takes money from a company or organization.
Additional Crimes Could Include:
- Bribery
- Insider Trading
- Counterfeiting
- Kickbacks
- Identity Theft
- Theft of Intellectual Property
- Mail Fraud
- Wire Fraud
Are White Collar Crimes Serious?
Many people think that white-collar crimes are less serious, less aggressively prosecuted, and have lighter penalties. This comes from the belief that it is a victimless crime. However, government and law enforcement officials take these crimes are taken very seriously, and the penalties are often much stiffer than violent offenses. When facing charges, it is critical to speak to a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
The Penalties for Misdemeanor Offenses
Some white-collar offenses qualify as misdemeanor offenses, largely depending on the amount that was stolen. The penalties range from a fine of $500 for stolen property with a value of $50 or less to Class A misdemeanors involving theft worth $500 to $1,500, which is punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and jail time of up to 1 year.
The Penalties Felony White Collar Offenses
Since most white-collar crimes involve the use of the internet and electronic communication (interstate commerce), most are charged as federal offenses. Charges range from 2 years in jail and $10,000 to a punishment of 5 to 99 years in prison and a fine of as much as $10,000.
It is Important to Have the Right Defense
A white-collar crime is a serious matter, and law enforcement and prosecutors aggressively pursue those suspected of an offense. Because of this, it is critical to have an experienced defense attorney aggressively defending and protecting the rights of the accused.
McCarty-Larson PLLC | Criminal Defense Lawyer Midlothian TX
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For anyone facing charges related to a white-collar crime, it is important to find the best criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. Defense attorney Robin McCarty is a former peace officer and former prosecutor who has more than twenty years of industry experience. McCarty and the rest of the expert McCarty-Larson team aggressively protect client rights with skill and compassion. For more information, email [email protected] or contact the office at (972) 775-2100.
