NEW JERSEY CRIMINAL LAWYERS

New Jersey White Collar Criminal Investigations Lawyers

Understanding White Collar Crime and the Role of Defense Lawyers

If you’re someone who often hears about white-collar crimes and white-collar criminal defense lawyers but doesn’t know what they mean, this article is for you. Understanding the concept behind white-collar crime will help you know how to deal with it if you ever become a victim or a defendant. It can also be a career path for those who want to specialize in this field. Additionally, learning about white-collar firms that operate in this sector can increase your knowledge of the industry.

What is White Collar Crime?

You may assume that white-collar crime is the same as other forms of violence or offensive acts, but it’s quite different. It refers to non-violent offenses committed by larger entities such as corporations or governments.

History tells us that in 1939, white-collar crime was first defined as an illegal act committed by an individual who was likely a professional working for a business or corporation.

How Does White Collar Crime Differ From Blue Collar Crime?

White-collar crime is unique because it’s mostly committed by people of high social status while blue-collar crime involves individuals from lower classes. Another significant difference is that law enforcement authorities cannot easily detect white-collar crime compared to blue-collar crimes, which can be detected more easily.

Types of Crimes White-Collar Defense Lawyers Can Handle

There are various types of white-collar crimes with embezzlement being one of the most common ones. Embezzlement is similar to theft and happens when an employee entrusted with money uses it for personal reasons instead of fulfilling their duties.

Bankruptcy fraud occurs when someone files for bankruptcy but hides property that would have gone towards paying creditors.

Falsification of financial information happens when enrolled agents misrepresent information on tax returns or other financial documents.

Who Are White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyers?

White collar criminal defense lawyers handle the defense side of these cases by collaborating with other lawyers to prepare viable solutions for their clients. Their clients are typically larger corporations, organizations, or other entities that need legal representation.

They conduct investigations to understand how these entities operate, aiming to provide guidance on developing solutions that work within the confines of the law.

Qualities to Look for in a White Collar Criminal Defense Lawyer

It’s important to have a solid defense lawyer on your side in case you ever become involved in a white-collar crime case. Here are some qualities to look for when choosing one:

Experience: Due to the complexity of white-collar crimes, it’s essential to choose lawyers with years of experience managing such cases.

Open-mindedness: You want an attorney who is open and willing to answer any questions you may have.

Specialized Firm: Consider hiring a firm specializing mainly in white-collar crime rather than general law firms.

Conclusion

Now that you understand what white-collar crime is and the role of white-collar criminal defense lawyers, you’re better equipped should you become involved in such a case either as a defendant or victim. It’s to avoid getting entangled with these types of crimes altogether by staying informed about what behaviors constitute violations of the law.