As someone accused of a white collar crime, you might think you’ll get away without penalties since you have the money and power to back your defense. The truth is that people in powerful positions and those who are wealthy do sometimes end up in prison or facing other consequences for white collar crimes. Fortunately, strong defenses can help prevent you from ending up behind bars.
There are many myths about white collar crime cases, and it’s important that you don’t believe they’re true. Here are two more to think about.
Myth 1: No one wealthy goes to prison for white collar crimes
The truth is that many people end up in prison for white collar crimes. The U.S. Sentencing Commission’s report from 2013 states that around 70 percent of those sentences for fraud did end up going to prison for some amount of time. What isn’t as clear is how long each of those people spent in prison compared to the guidelines given to judges. Offenders served an average of five to 17 years in prison, but if you consider the potential for longer sentences, a five-year sentence may have been an extremely low penalty.
Myth 2: Prosecutors are scared of powerful, wealthy people
The prosecution’s job is to bring down those who take advantage of others. Prosecutors don’t fear bringing someone into court for a crime. What they do want to do is make sure they have a solid case first, so it may seem like they’re avoiding confrontation until their documents and evidence are in order.
Our site has more information about what to do if you’re accused of a white collar crime. Protect yourself now, so you can have a future.