Most white-collar crimes are financially motivated and do not result in anyone being physically harmed. You may be wondering, though, are there any instances where white-collar crimes are classified as violent offenses? While it’s rare, it could be possible. Our defense attorneys at Weintraub & Alper Legal are here to explain.
Common White-Collar Crimes
Anyone of any socioeconomic status can commit a white-collar crime. They may be committed online or in-person, but generally all white-collar crimes share the same motivation: financial gain.
Some of the most common white-collar offenses include:
Fraud
Embezzlement
Money laundering
Public corruption
Intellectual property theft
While these crimes alone are not classified as violent crimes, there are some aggravating factors that could change that.
Violence and White-Collar Crimes
Rare white-collar crimes involving violence have been coined ‘red-collar crimes.’
One serious example of red-collar crime is fraud detection homicide. This is when the defendant believes or knows that someone else knows about their white-collar crime, so they commit homicide to prevent that person from sharing the knowledge of their guilt.
Other examples may be if the individual who committed white-collar crime uses force or threats against another to ensure they remain discreet.
Additionally, if a weapon is present at the time of a white-collar crime, this could lead to violent crime charges or additional penalties.
White-Collar Crime Defense Attorney
If you have recently been charged with a white-collar crime, contact our team at The Law Offices of Howard J. Weintraub, P.C. to discuss your case. Once we learn the details of your arrest and charges, we can start crafting the strongest possible defense.