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Rolando Cantu is the founding attorney of the Law Office of Rolando D. Cantu. He is committed to providing aggressive and high level legal representation—successfully defending clients charged with state and federal criminal offenses. He works on every case as a priority with personal attention, while prioritizing their needs. 

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What is the difference between white collar crime and other types of offenses?

Apr 07, 2022

What is the difference between white collar crime and other types of offenses?

When most people think of crime, they think of someone being mugged on the street or a home being broken into. However, there is another type of crime that is often overlooked - white collar crime. So, what is the difference between white collar crime and other types of offenses? Keep reading to find out!


What are white collar crimes?

White collar crimes are typically defined as nonviolent crimes that are committed by business or government professionals. A white collar crime is often financially motivated and includes offenses such as fraud (like corporate fraud and corporate crimes), embezzlement, insider trading, and money laundering.


The term white collar crime was first coined in 1939 by U.S. sociologist Edwin Sutherland. At the time, Sutherland was trying to describe the different types of crimes that were being committed by the upper class. people with a high social status.


Compared to other types of crimes, white collar crimes are often seen as less serious. This is because people who commit crimes like this are often considered to be upstanding members of the community. They might have a good job, a nice home, and seem like they have it all together and don't have a lot to lose, and the penalties tend to be less severe. However, this doesn't mean that white collar crimes should be taken lightly - in fact, the consequences can be quite devastating.


You might also want to read: What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Federal Crime: A Guide

What are some examples of white collar crimes?

There are several key differences between white collar crime and other types of offenses, such as violent crimes or drug crimes.


One of the biggest differences between white collar crime and other types of offenses is that white collar crimes are typically nonviolent. This means that no one is physically harmed in the commission of a white collar crime. In addition, white collar crimes are typically motivated by financial gain, while other types of offenses may be motivated by anger, revenge, or drug addiction.


Some examples of white collar crimes are:


  • Corporate fraud
  • Tax evasion
  • Mortgage fraud
  • Securities Fraud
  • Identity theft
  • Healthcare fraud


Another key difference between white collar crime and other types of offenses is that white collar criminals are typically investigated and prosecuted by the government. This is in contrast to other types of offenses, which are generally investigated and prosecuted by local law enforcement.


Finally, white collar crimes often have a higher penalty than other types of offenses. This is because the government and federal agencies take white collar crime seriously and want to deter people from committing these crimes.When you are facing white collar crimes charges, it is important to contact legal help. A white collar crimes lawyer is the best option in these cases.

What are other types of offenses?

White collar crimes are nonviolent, and result in no direct physical harm to any person. It has also been defined as legal activity that breaks ethical principles. However, you must know that there are other types of collar crimes that are just as serious as white collar crimes:

Blue collar crimes

A blue collar crime is a kind of crime that is typically committed by working class individuals. These crimes often involve violence, violent acts or the threat of violence, and include offenses such as armed robbery, assault, street crimes (a street crime refers to crimes that are committed in public places), vandalism, and burglary.


This kind of crimes also includes non violent crimes, such as fraud or embezzlement, but they are typically perpetrated by people who do not have a white collar job, prostitution, illegal gambling and more.


Such crimes also typically have shorter sentences than white collar crimes, as they are seen as less serious, but also carry a higher risk of physical harm and they are easier to investigate and prosecute since they involve direct action.

Green collar crimes

Green collar crimes are a relatively new kind of crime, and include offenses such as environmental pollution, tax evasion, and copyright infringement.

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These crimes are typically committed by people who work in the environmental, sustainability or financial industries, and often involve a degree of financial gain. These crimes often involve the illegal trafficking of animals, fish, or plants, or the illegal disposal of hazardous waste. 


Green collar crimes are typically investigated and prosecuted by the Environmental Protection Agency or the Internal Revenue Service, and carry harsher penalties than blue collar crimes.

Red collar crimes

Red collar crimes are a type of white collar crime that involve official corruption, and violence in order to detect or prosecute for the crimes committed.


Red collar crimes typically involve public officials, such as police officers, judges, or politicians, and often these include offenses such as bribery, extortion, and embezzlement.


Red collar crimes are typically investigated and prosecuted by law enforcement agencies such as the FBI or the Department of Justice. They often have longer sentences than other types of white collar crimes, and can involve prison time as well as large fines.


You might also be interested: How a criminal defense lawyer can help you

Pink-collar crimes

Pink-collar crimes are a type of white collar crime committed by low to mid-level employees in the service industry.


that involve the exploitation of women. This includes offenses such as non violent crime, such as embezzlement, fraud, and forgery, but it also includes more serious crimes such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse.


It also  includes crimes that are often not considered to be crimes, such as unpaid overtime, poor working conditions, and sexual harassment. This kind of crimes come in hand with low wages and a lack of benefits, as well as discrimination in the workplace.


These crimes are typically investigated and prosecuted by local law enforcement, and carry shorter sentences than other types of white collar crimes.

Other Types Of Collared Crimes

There are a number of other types of collared crimes that are just as serious as white collar crimes. These include:

Black collar crimes

Black-collar crime is a non-existent category of crime in the United States. The term black collar was coined to represent high-level white-collar crimes committed by upper echelons in society, such as corporate executives and government officials.


Black collar crime refers to the illegal acts committed by socially respected members of society who are not necessarily in powerful positions. The term was originally coined in reference to religious leaders who commit illegal acts. However, the idea is often applied more broadly, including people in other respected professions like teachers and medical professionals.


Black-collar crime is a concept that recognizes that some offenders do not fit neatly into either a white collar or blue collar category.

These crimes are typically non-violent, and often involve financial gains. They can include offenses such as embezzlement, fraud, and forgery. These crimes are typically investigated and prosecuted by the FBI or other federal law enforcement agencies.

Orange collar crimes

Orange collar crimes are a type of crime that is typically committed by people who work in the manual labor industry. This includes offenses such as robbery, burglary, and theft, as well as more serious crimes such as assault and murder.


These crimes are typically investigated and prosecuted by local law enforcement, and carry harsher sentences than other types of white collar crimes.

There are a number of different types of collared crimes, each with their own unique set of penalties and investigative agencies. It is important to understand the differences between these crimes, so that you can be aware of the risks involved in committing them and learn how to identify when you are a victim of one of them.

How can an attorney help?

As you have seen, the word crime comes in many different colors and a full range of variations. If you find yourself on the wrong side of the law, it is important to seek legal counsel right away. An experienced white collar crimes attorney can help you understand the charges against you, and work to build a defense strategy. They can also help you negotiate a plea deal or take your case to trial.


If you have been charged with a white collar crime, it is important to contact an attorney right away. White collar crimes can carry severe penalties, and it is important to have a skilled advocate on your side. Contact the law Office of Rolando Cantú today to schedule a free consultation.

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