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How do white and blue collar crimes compare?

On Behalf of | Dec 7, 2018 | White Collar Crime

In Virginia, there are “white collar crimes” and “blue collar crimes”. Mark B. Arthur knows well that these types of crimes can come with equally harsh penalties, making it important for you to have a strong defense regardless of what you’re being accused of.

The terms white and blue collar crimes originated from the classes that these crimes were considered “typical” of. Lower classes were usually thought to commit blue collar crimes, while higher classes were thought to commit white collar crimes. Naturally, these days we understand that anyone can commit any sort of crime. The labels and definitions stuck, however.

Blue collar crime focuses on crimes that are considered to be fueled by emotion, like passion or rage crimes. This includes assault, burglary, property crimes, drug crimes, or sex crimes.

White collar crimes are considered to be largely non-violent and carried out within a business setting. They’re also known as “paper crimes”. They are considered to be calculated moves and can include wire fraud, embezzlement, and forgery.

Despite the fact that blue collar crimes can be violent and white collar crimes don’t involve damage to people or property, they can both still result in harsh penalties like fines, fees, license restrictions, or even jail time.

If you are being accused of having committed a white collar crime, consider taking a look at our web page on criminal charges in the state of Virginia. Knowing more about how the state handles these cases can help you in your own court session. You can also contact us to further discuss your unique circumstances.

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