What Kinds of Crimes are Considered “White-Collar”?
“White-collar” is a colloquial term that refers to business and government workers. White-collar crimes, therefore, generally encompass a variety of different criminal acts that occur within those realms.
Common examples of white-collar crimes include fraud, embezzlement, bribery, retaliatory arrest or prosecution, corruption, tax evasion, racketeering, and money laundering. Sometimes, white-collar crimes can be dealt with by the state or county in which the crime occurs. However, given that many businesses and political structures exist across state lines, it is often the case that white-collar crimes are pursued by federal prosecutors.
The Consequences of White-Collar Crimes in Rochester
Even if your case is dealt with by the state instead of by federal prosecutors, you may still be in significant danger of hefty consequences. New York State is known around the country for its strict laws on and prosecution of white-collar offenses, so there is sometimes little difference in the outcome of a white-collar criminal case in Rochester whether the federal or state government is the one pursuing charges.
Under New York Penal Law §460.20—part of the New York Enterprise Corruption Law, which functions in much the same way as the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act—you could face up to twenty-five years in prison upon conviction of Enterprise Conviction. Other penalties can include hefty fines, as well as the loss of business licenses.
White-Collar Criminal Penalties May Range in Severity
Some white-collar crimes may be punished less severely in comparison to others, but many such charges are still felonies punishable by steep fines and significant terms of imprisonment. For example, Insurance Fraud in the Fifth Degree—codified under NYPL §176.10—is considered only a class A misdemeanor, but this charge only applies to instances of insurance fraud involving less than $1,000 worth of fraudulently gained funds.
Any act of insurance fraud involving more than $1,000 is a felony under New York Penal Law, with the maximum potential penalties coming from charges of Insurance Fraud in the First Degree, a class B felony under NYPL §176.30 that involves insurance fraud valued at over $1 million. Furthermore, any instance of Insurance Fraud in the Fourth Degree, usually a class E felony under NYPL §176.15, may be classified as a class D felony under NYPL §176.35 if you were convicted of any offense related to insurance fraud within the past five years.
