White-collar
crime
White-collar
crime is a term that is usually applied
to crimes associated with business
that do not involve violence or bodily
injury to another person. Examples
of so-called white-collar crime are
those crimes generally associated
with lending institutions which involve
bank fraud, such as making false statements
to obtain a loan, filing false reports
or returns with government agencies,
embezzlement, using the mail or wire
communications to defraud, and paying
or accepting bribes.
White-collar
crimes may be prosecuted in state
or federal courts, depending upon
whether state or federal laws have
been violated. The penalties for committing
white-collar crimes vary, but in some
cases they may be as severe as those
prescribed for violent crimes. If
you are questioned by a law enforcement
officer or another governmental agent
about possible criminal conduct, it
is wise to talk with an attorney before
answering any questions.
What
you tell your criminal defense lawyer
is confidential, and the fact that
you decline to answer questions may
not be used against you in a criminal
proceeding.
Murder
Sex crimes
Drug offenses
Firearms
Burglary
Robbery