White-Collar Crimes and Other Criminal Offenses
White-collar crimes are, indeed, severe criminal offenses. They were named for the types of people who perpetrate the crimes: those who traditionally wore suits and white shirts with collars.
At Lotze Mosley, LLP, our fraud defense attorneys in Washington D.C. and Maryland represent individuals who have been investigated, charged, or indicted for white-collar crimes to ensure their rights are protected while we pursue the best outcome available for their case.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, white-collar crimes cost the United States more than $300 billion annually.
The wide range of white-collar crimes have a few things in common, which differentiate them from other criminal offenses, and can include:
- They are non-violent.
White-collar crimes generally focus on the intent of financial gain, not physical harm.
- They often involve monetary penalties.
White-collar crimes can certainly end in lengthy jail sentences, but they can also include addressing financial considerations, like the defendant paying restitution, forfeitures, and fines to those who suffered severe financial harm because of their unlawful actions.
- They can apply to a company or organization.
When someone within a corporate company an organization, often later known as a whistleblower, notifies the authorities of the company or organization taking advantage of customers or the public for financial gain — or initiating a cover-up to avoid losses — white-collar charges can be brought against the entire administration.
What Are the Most Common Types of White-Collar Crimes?
As people continue to find ways to defraud investors, donors, employees, and the general public, there is seemingly no end to what can be prosecuted as a white-collar crime.
Some of the most common white-collar crimes can include:
- Bribery
- Copyright infringement
- Embezzlement
- Forgery
- Fraud
- Identity theft
- Inaccurately reporting income to the IRS
- Insider trading
- Internet, cybercrimes, or tech-based fraudulent actions
- Money laundering
- Ponzi schemes
- Wage theft
There is no limit to who can be charged with a white-collar crime, as it can be a single person, a group of individuals, corporate employers/employees, and/or politicians.
Washington D.C. white-collar criminal defense attorneys are an essential part of any white-collar defense, as their arguments can include many factors that could lead to lesser or dismissed charges, based on the evidence, records, and available testimonies.
Our Washington, D.C. criminal lawyers have helped people who were suspected or accused of committing:
- Drug Crimes
- Fraud Defense
- Gun Crimes
- Sex Crimes
- Violent Crimes
- Traffic Offenses, such as driving under the influence
- Theft
- Embezzlement
What Are the Most Common White-Collar Defenses?
At Lotze Mosley, LLP, our white-collar criminal defense attorneys review each case we represent on its unique structure. That means, no two white-collar defenses are the same.
Depending on the evidence the prosecutor has gathered, and the defense we have built, we may use one of many common defenses that are designed to represent each of our client’s unique needs.
They can include:
- Lack of intent, which can include our clients having no intention of committing a crime, defrauding for financial gain, or being forced to commit a white-collar crime by their superiors or other stakeholders.
- Duress, which can include extreme pressure of imminent harm or death if they do not commit the white-collar crime for which they have been charged.
- Entrapment, which can include law enforcement providing the opportunity to commit a crime or the action of tricking someone into committing a crime that our client would not typically commit on their own to secure their prosecution.
These are not all our white-collar crime law firm’s defenses, as we customize each of our client’s cases to pursue the best outcome available for their unique circumstances.
Contact Our White-Collar Criminal Defense Attorneys in Washington, D.C.
If you are facing serious white-collar criminal charges in Washington D.C. or Maryland, contact our Washington D.C. criminal defense attorneys at Lotze Mosley LLP today by calling (202) 393-0535 to discuss your case and how we can help you build a strong defense to minimize the legal consequences you are facing.
