White collar crimes are a class of criminal offenses that take place in every state, but they are more prominent in states with more options for business. Texas is one of the leading markets for white collar crime because of its strong business economy. One of the most effective ways of defending yourself against white collar crime is to understand what it is and what common charges are filed in Texas.
If you are charged with a white collar crime or think that you may be the victim of a white collar crime, contact a lawyer to discuss your case. Mary E. Conn & Associates has the resources and expertise to defend your rights in the legal system. Give us a call to learn more about how our team can help.
What Is White Collar Crime?
White collar crime is a type of crime that is conducted by people in business or professional settings. It is typically characterized by the use of deception and fraud for financial gain and can take many forms. It includes embezzlement, bribery, insider trading, money laundering, and computer crimes. Generally, the goal of white collar crime is to steal money through illicit but non-violent means.
White collar crime can be either misdemeanor and felony depending on the severity of the offense. Since it often involves a violation of trust, white collar crimes are particularly damaging to businesses and organizations as they can create an atmosphere of distrust among employees.
Unfortunately, white collar crime continues to be a problem in today’s world due to the opportunity for financial gain associated with it. To combat this growing issue, businesses must strive to create an environment of trust and accountability in order to prevent potential criminals from taking advantage of any opportunities presented to them.
Common White Collar Crimes in Texas
Since Texas has a strong business environment, many companies want to set up there. This also means that there is a greater chance of being the victim of white collar crimes. Here are some of the most common white collar crimes that you can experience in Texas:
Fraud
Fraud is a white collar crime that can have serious consequences for businesses. Fraud is the process of deceiving a person or group by lying about specific facts, such as your identity, qualifications, and business practices. Fraud is, perhaps, the most common white collar crime since it can be committed by individuals and organizations.
An example of this is credit card fraud, where a criminal takes the information that is needed to use a credit card from someone else and uses it without permission. Every year, millions of people have their credit cards used fraudulently, which is why every credit card company has a large fraud department.
Tax Evasion
Tax evasion is a white collar crime that businesses have the opportunity to commit. Tax evasion is the act of avoiding paying taxes by either lying on your tax forms or intentionally not filing or paying taxes. While it may seem like an unimportant crime, it can cost states and federal governments billions of dollars per year. It is also the crime that Al Capone was successfully charged with.
Tax evasion can range from a misdemeanor to a felony, depending on the circumstances and amount of money involved. In either case, it is important for businesses to be aware of the consequences of tax evasion in order to avoid potentially serious financial repercussions.
Money Laundering
Money laundering is a white collar crime that involves the use of business opportunities to disguise the origin and true ownership of funds obtained from illegal activities. It can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the severity of the crime.
Money laundering is often used to support large-scale organized crime operations where a lot of money needs to be exchanged without being tracked.
Bribery
Bribery is a white collar crime that involves an individual or business offering money or gifts with the intent of influencing someone to take a desired action. Depending on the severity of the act, it can be considered either a misdemeanor or a felony.
Contact a Texas White Crimes Defense Lawyer
Being charged with white collar crime can lead to serious problems for you even if you are found not guilty. The hit to your reputation can easily make it hard to do business in your area going forward. Not only do you need to address the charges, but you must also make it clear to everyone that you are not guilty and can be trusted.
If you have been charged with a white collar crime in Texas, Mary E. Conn & Associates is here to help. Our firm has extensive experience in defending white collar crime cases and is dedicated to providing our clients with the best legal representation possible. Call Mary E. Conn & Associates at (713) 357-4190 or fill out our contact form.