White-Collar Crimes – An Overview
Crimes that do not involve physical violence, and that relate largely to financial matters, are often called white-collar crimes. On one hand, white-collar crimes involve most of the same legal principles as do other crimes, and people charged with white-collar crimes have the same rights and protections as defendants accused of other crimes. On the other hand, white-collar offenses are often complex, and involve numerous complicated legal and factual issues. The possible penalties include fines, prison sentences, restitution, and criminal forfeiture. For more information, if you have been charged with a white-collar crime, call William M. Butler, Jr. today at 502-582-2020 today, or contact him, via email or text, to schedule an initial confidential consultation with an experienced white-collar criminal defense attorney. For over 35 years, he has skillfully defended thousands of clients, compiling an impressive record of positive results, and he can help you too. Please see his Case Results and Testimonials. For more information, please see the White-Collar Crimes – An Overview below.
The phrase white-collar crime was first used by Edwin Sutherland in 1939 during a speech to the American Sociological Society. He defined white-collar crime as a “crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation.” Today, white-collar crime refers to illegal offenses that are generally committed in the business or professional setting (white-collar versus blue-collar jobs) to achieve financial gain. They are essentially “paper crimes” in which the perpetrator uses deceit to obtain money, property, or some professional advantage. White-collar crime encompasses a number of offenses including mail fraud, embezzlement, medicare fraud, securities fraud, tax evasion, conspiracy, Racketeer Influenced, and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) offenses, financial crime, public corruption, and bribery.
White-collar criminal investigation
The investigation of a white-collar crime can be a long, involved process, and may go on for months or years. Often, a person may be unaware that he or she is the target of a criminal investigation until formal charges are filed. As soon as a person suspects he or she is under investigation, even as a witness, legal advice should be sought from a defense attorney. The highly complex nature of a white-collar criminal prosecution means that a person’s potential exposure may not be clear in the early stages of the investigation. Be aware that the authorities are looking for evidence against you, not for you. It is imperative that defense lawyer, William M. Butler, Jr., be consulted before any meeting with law enforcement, however innocuous it may seem.
Criminal defense attorneys can negotiate plea agreements
Sometimes, after a person is charged with a crime, the charges will be dropped as a result of the defense attorney’s negotiations with the prosecutor. In other cases, the prosecutor may agree to drop the more serious charges if the defendant agrees to plead guilty to lesser charges or to cooperate with an ongoing investigation. The criminal defendant, not his or her attorney, always has the final word, however, on whether to accept a plea agreement.
Depending on the severity of the crime, a defendant who is convicted may receive probation, have a fine imposed, be ordered to perform community service, be ordered to make restitution (pay back the losses caused by the criminal acts), be sentenced to prison or be sentenced to some combination thereof. An experienced white collar criminal defense attorney can work with the prosecutor to negotiate a deal that provides for the least severe punishment. If no deal is worked out, he or she can zealously represent the defendant in court, attempting to prove to the jury that the prosecutor cannot prove, beyond a reasonable, doubt that the defendant committed the crime.
Secure Legal Counsel
Being accused of a crime is a frightening and stressful event. A white-collar crime charge imposes extra stress since a person’s professional or business integrity is often at issue. If you or someone you know has been charged with committing a white-collar crime, do not delay. For immediate attention call 502-582-2020 today, or contact William Butler via email or text, to schedule an initial confidential consultation. He has skillfully defended thousands of clients, for over 35 years, compiling an impressive record of positive results, and he can defend you too.
DISCLAIMER: This site and any information contained herein are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Seek competent legal counsel for advice on any legal matter.
