White collar crimes include many different actions such as antitrust violations, credit card fraud, economic espionage and counterfeiting. There are dozens of crimes that fall under the white collar crime category, all of which can result in federal charges against you.
One of the white collar crimes you may be accused of is piracy. Better known as intellectual property theft, piracy refers to willful copyright, trademark and patent infringement. This crime is relatively easy to commit since it is as simple as downloading a movie on a torrent website. Taking any copyrighted work without permission can lead to a charge.
Is it easy to be prosecuted for white collar crimes?
It’s not easy, which is why so many people get away with crimes like piracy. It can be hard to prosecute people for a number of reasons ranging from the fact that some people conceal their actions online to the reality that there are millions of people committing similar crimes on a small scale. It’s possible to prosecute; however, so it’s important to take the case seriously.
What kinds of penalties can you face for a white collar crime conviction?
White collar crimes cost the United States over $300 billion annually, which is why they’re taken so seriously. Penalties for white collar offenses may include:
- Fines
- Restitution
- Forfeitures
- Imprisonment
- Supervised release
Since this crime is charged as a federal offense, most people will face at least some time in prison. Your attorney can help if you are part of an investigation or have been arrested for a white collar crime. You deserve a chance to defend yourself and protect your interests in court. With the right help, it’s possible that you could have the penalties lowered or eliminated.
