Public corruption cases tend to attract more attention than white collar crime investigations, and there is a good reason for that. Keep reading to learn more. 

Public Corruption Cases vs. White Collar Crime Investigations

Public corruption is the misuse of one’s public office/or authority, either an elected office or an appointed position, for personal gain. When public corruption occurs, it creates a mistrust in government and an undermining of the law. This is why it is so important to hold those who commit public corruption responsible for what they have done. If the seeds of mistrust are planted in a society, they will grow into and infiltrate most everything that exists in that community, causing more harm along the way. 

White collar crime is not more or less detrimental to a society than public corruption, and it still garners a lot of attention, but the people committing white collar crimes are not usually people who’ve been trusted to uphold the law or represent a group of people. White collar crimes are financially motivated, non-violent crimes that are often committed by individuals within an organization, or by an organization as a whole, in a business or professional setting. 

A public corruption case tends to elicit more attention than a white collar crime investigation for reasons other than who has committed the crime. The other factors contributing to the added focus on a public corruption case include: 

• A significant impact on everyday lives: Public corruption can have tangible effects on the public including substandard public services, an unbalanced allocation of resources, and higher costs for basic necessities. The fairness of court decisions can be affected by public corruption as can the improvement of a community by means of new construction and road maintenance. The FBI estimates that public corruption costs taxpayers billions of dollars every year. 

• Increased media coverage: Bribery, extortion, fraud, and an abuse of power is inherently captivating to the public, and the media knows this. Public corruption cases are often thrust into the spotlight by the media, highlighting the details of the case and making them the topic of household conversations. Increased coverage results in people becoming invested in the case which results in even more coverage. 

• Perceptions of fairness and justice: Public officials are held to a higher standard and expected to uphold the law. When they don’t, the people who elected them start to question their decision as well as begin to feel strong feelings of inequality or injustice. If those in power are benefitting from their corruption on the backs of those living in a community, it is natural to feel like the situation is unfair. These feelings of unfairness can cause damage to the fabric of a society. 

• Political implications: Public corruption cases can highlight the need for transparency, accountability, and ethical reform. The public sees what can happen when the wrong person is elected or put into office, and an increased interest in putting the right person in office is the result. The public’s engagement in a public corruption case can influence the future of their community. 

Public corruption cases vary from white collar crime investigations in many ways, most of which are centered on or because of the person who committed the crime. Public officials who take part in corruption tend to be viewed as personally insulting those in their community whereas white collar crime is almost expected in certain situations and does not personally touch as many people. 

If You’re Accused of Public Corruption 

If you’ve been accused of public corruption, the most important thing to do is remain silent and enlist the assistance of a qualified defense attorney. Charges of public corruption are usually the result of a lengthy investigation, therefore it is imperative to have legal counsel walk you through the process. Protecting your rights by taking the correct first steps can make a huge difference in the outcome of the case against you. 

The legal team at the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot collectively has decades of experience in defending against these types of charges. They will help you understand the charges against you, analyze all of the evidence, and build a personalized defense strategy that will provide you the best chance at a favorable outcome. 

Public corruption cases grab a lot of attention and can have life altering consequences. If you’ve been accused, reach out to the Law Offices of Robert J. DeGroot today!