Street Crime vs. White Collar Crime
While street crimes and white collar crimes are prosecuted similarly in the court of law, there are some major differences that influence the consequences associated with each. There are also some distinctions between how each category of crime is classified, and what types of infractions constitute each type.
Street Crime
Street crimes consist of criminal offenses that occur in public places, usually in urban or suburban areas as opposed to remote or rural areas. The types of crimes labeled as street crimes can range from minor offenses like vandalism and petty theft, to more serious infractions like assault and homicide. That being said, there are two types of street crimes: crimes against property and crimes against persons.
Street crime is most often thought to be committed by stereotypical criminals, and a lot of the time by a group of individuals or a gang. Street crimes often involve a weapon and usually some form of violence as well. A victim is typically easy to identify as a result of a street crime.
The most common types of street crime against persons include:
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Assault
- Rape
- Robbery
The most common types of street crime against property include:
- Burglary
- Motor vehicle theft
- Arson
Both street crimes and white collar crimes are investigated before charges are brought. Being convicted of a street crime, depending on the severity of the crime, may result in jail or prison time as well as fines. The harsher the crime, the harsher the penalty.
For example, a conviction of vandalism in New Jersey, depending on the property damage, could result in up to 5 years in prison and fines of $15K. A conviction for first-degree murder in New Jersey could end with 30 years to life in a prison sentence.
White Collar Crime
White collar crimes are typically non-violent and involve some financial or economic motive. They are committed by individuals as well as businesses. White collar crime is often referred to as a “victimless crime”, however anyone who has been taken advantage of by a white collar crime will definitely identify as a victim.
White collar crimes are often carried out by people with jobs that include a lot of responsibility or trust. Bankers, corporate executives, accountants, and government officials are the top offenders when it comes to committing white collar crimes. These types of crimes are also complex, so they take a long period of time to commit. Unlike street crimes, which happen quickly and without much planning.
White-collar crimes are not violent or involve weapons, like street crimes. Manipulation, deception, and abuse of power are the forces used to commit white-collar crimes.
Examples of white-collar crimes include:
- Embezzlement
- Fraud
- Bribery
- Tax evasion
- Money laundering
- Insider trading
The consequences for committing a white collar crime can be very severe. Depending on the amount of money or assets that were compromised by the crime, penalties can be anywhere from 1-10 years (or more) in prison, as well as hefty fines and restitution. Some white collar criminals are sentenced to home confinement and barred from ever being involved with the job they had when they committed the crime.
The Effects of Street Crime vs. White Collar Crime
Both street crime and white-collar crime negatively impact the communities where they take place.
Street crimes affect the people who live in the areas where they occur by making people scared to be outside, as well as suffering from anxiety about whether they will be the next victim. This harms businesses in high-crime areas and further threatens the quality of life for the people who live there.
White collar crimes jeopardize the public’s trust in the businesses and institutions that are charged with the crimes. For example, if a government official is convicted of embezzlement, the public’s trust in all governments is made vulnerable. Additionally, if a person loses a large amount of money to a fraudulent investor, the public will become wary of all investors.
If You Are Accused of a Street Crime or White Collar Crime
The course of action for being accused of a street crime or white-collar crime is the same: secure the help of an experienced and thoughtful criminal defense attorney. Defending yourself against any street or white-collar crime is never advised. The team of lawyers like those at The Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot can fully research the evidence and provide the best defense possible.
If you or someone you know has been accused of a street or white-collar crime, reach out to The Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot today!
