What is White Collar Crime?

The phrase "white collar crime" was coined in 1939 during a speech given by Edwin Sutherland to the American Sociological Society. Sutherland defined the term as "crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation." White collar crimes typically refer to a type of crime committed by business people, entrepreneurs, public officials, and professionals through deception normally committed in a commercial setting for financial gain, as opposed to street crimes which tend to involve force and violence.

Who governs white collar crime?

White collar crime is governed at both federal and state levels. The Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution gives the federal government the authority to regulate white collar crime, which is enforced by a number of federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Secret Service, U.S. Customs, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). White collar crime is also enforced at the state level with each state employing its own agencies to enforce the laws.

Examples of White Collar Crimes

Examples of white collar crimes include embezzlement, bribery, extortion, larceny, fraud (e.g., health care, tax, phone/telemarketing, government, bankruptcy, insurance, and mail), securities and commodities law violations, environmental law violations, price fixing, racketeering, loan sharking, black market operations, obstruction of justice and perjury, and computer or internet fraud. According to the FBI, white-collar crime is estimated to cost the United States more than $300 billion annually.

Should I hire a White Collar Crime Attorney?

If you have been charged with a white-collar crime, it is obvious that you need to immediately seek legal counsel from an experienced white collar crime attorney so that you can preserve your rights and protect your future. What most people don't know is that a defense lawyer should be immediately consulted before any meeting with law enforcement, no matter innocuous it may seem to be.

Many people don't realize they are targeted for criminal investigation until formal charges are filed, which is why a defense attorney should immediately be involved as soon as you suspect that you may be involved in an investigation, even as a witness. Due to the complex nature of a white-collar criminal prosecution, a person's potential exposure may not be clear in the early stages of the investigation. A lot of white-collar criminal defendants have had their cases damaged by something they said or did before they were targeted or suspected, in the early stages of an investigation. Use the form on this page to find a white collar crime attorney to help you now.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What Is a White Collar Crime?
  White collar crime is usually a type of fraud committed by business and government professionals.  This includes corporate fraud, health care fraud, mortgage fraud, securities and commodities … more
• What are my rights when charged with a crime?
  You have the right to enter a plea of not guilty and have a trial either to the court or to a jury. You have a right to be represented by your attorney throughout the trial and at all proceedings … more
• What happens at an arraignment?
  You have the right to be arraigned without unnecessary delay ­ usually within two court days ­ after being arrested. You will appear before a judge who will tell you officially of the … more
• What Is A Plea Bargain?
  A plea bargain is an agreement in which the prosecutor and defendant arrange to settle the criminal case against the defendant.  The defendant pleads guilty or no contest to the charges in … more