Criminal Defense and White Collar Crimes

White Collar Crimes

What is a white-collar crime, and what type of attorney practices this type of law? White-collar crimes are non-violent crimes committed by individuals; usually professionals, government employees or businesses, perpetrating an illegal act for monetary gains. The term can also denote the criminal behavior or acts committed to destabilize a business; such as hacking computer systems, jamming business operations or creating internet viruses designed to inflict harm on a business or individual. The term was originally penned by the University of Minnesota’s professor of sociologist, Dr. Edwin Sutherland. He was regarded as one of America’s most important criminologist of his day. The popularly held notion that people of higher social class distinction, aristocrats, monarchs, etc. could do no wrong in the eyes of society was being challenged by academics for the first time. Sutherland defined white-collar crime as a criminal act committed by someone of respectability and high-social status. The term white-collar crime also took on a broad base of frauds involving businesses characterized by the violation of public trust, brought on by the wide spread financial conditions of the “great depression”. Countless numbers of families destroyed by bank closures, widespread unemployment, and the financial markets being decimated by over speculation, with billions of dollars lost all contributed to the economic calamity of the time. White collar crimes incorporate criminal activities including: malfeasance, public corruption, corporate fraud, securities and commodities fraud, insider trading, mortgage, banking and institutional fraud, embezzlement, bribery, money laundering, counterfeiting, obstruction of justice and even election and health care fraud. There is also a wide range of illegal activities that involve electronic conveyances for wire transfers, wire fraud, illegal wiretapping, electronic taping, eavesdropping, industrial espionage and illegal phone and internet scams. Many federal agencies including the Internal Revenue Service, Federal Bureau of Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Securities and Exchange Commission, U.S. Secret Service, U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other local and state law enforcement agencies investigate, charge and prosecute white-collar crimes. Additionally, the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act, (RICO Act) enacted in 1970 expanded the legal definition of racketeering and allows for the prosecution of an individual (s) within a corporate or business structure, who assists or orders others to commit a crime. These illegal acts are also considered white-collar crimes.

White-Collar Crimes and Criminal Defense Attorneys in Jacksonville

If you have been arrested and charged with a White-Collar Crime you need to hire an experienced criminal defense attorney. Curtis Fallgatter has been involved with both prosecuting and defending individuals accused of committing white-collar crimes for almost 40 years. First, as a Chief Federal Prosecutor for over 17 years, and then for the last 20 years as a criminal defense attorney representing individuals charged with committing a crime. The nature of White-Collar Crimes is so broad and extensive that many attorneys refer these types of cases to Curtis because of his extensive knowledge and experience. Fallgatter Catlin & Varon P.A. have represented individuals charged with anti-trust violations, bankruptcy fraud, bribery, computer and internet fraud, credit card fraud, economic and industrial espionage, embezzlement, Green-Collar Crimes such as environmental violations, financial fraud, forgery & counterfeiting, government fraud, healthcare fraud, insider trading, insurance fraud, kickbacks, mail fraud, money laundering, mortgage fraud, phone and telemarketing fraud, public corruption, RICO violations, securities fraud, tax evasion and trade secret theft just to name a few. If you are under investigation or have been charged with a crime Curtis Fallgatter will work tirelessly on your behalf. Give Fallgatter Catlin & Varon P.A. a call for a free criminal defense consultation at 904-353-5800 or visit our website at FallgatterLaw.Com for a complete list of our services and credentials.