What Are the Consequences of Being Convicted of a White-Collar Crime for First-Time Offenders?

White-collar crimes are nonviolent crimes that generally relate to financial fraud or embezzlement, and they can lead to very serious charges, including federal charges, when the internet is involved. A range of factors affect how harsh the related fines and penalties will be, and one of these is whether the offense is your first. If you’re facing a charge for a white-collar crime, it’s time to consult with an experienced Pennsylvania white-collar criminal defense attorney.

Common White-Collar Criminal Charges

White-collar crimes come in many different forms, but most charges fall into categories like the following:

• Embezzlement, which refers to the misappropriation of funds by someone who’s been entrusted to handle the money or asset
• Identity theft, which refers to using someone else’s identifying information without their consent in the furtherance of any unlawful purpose
• Bankruptcy fraud, which refers to pursuing a bankruptcy that offloads a considerable amount of debt while intentionally hiding assets
• Credit card fraud, which refers to using someone else’s credit card without their permission or using a canceled or revoked card
• Forgery, which refers to fabricating or altering documents for personal gain – forging money, stocks, bonds, or food stamps is a second-degree felony while forging wills, deeds, or contracts is a third-degree felony

The Fines and Penalties Faced

The fines and penalties you’ll face if you’re charged with a white-collar crime will hinge on factors like the following:

• The kind of white-collar crime in question
• The amount of money involved – or the severity of the crime
• Whether or not the charge is your first

If you are a first-time offender, the charge won’t be enhanced as a result of having prior convictions, which works to your advantage. The consequences you’ll face will depend on the level of the charge brought against you. Consider the following:

• If the charge is a summary offense, which is the lowest level of criminal charge in Pennsylvania, you can face up to 90 days in jail and up to $250 in fines – depending on whether the charge is classified as a first-, second-, or third-degree offense.
• If the charge is a third-degree misdemeanor, you can expect to face fines of from $250 to $5,000 and jail time of up to 90 days.
• If the charge is a second-degree misdemeanor, you can expect to face fines of from $500 to $5,000 and up to 2 years behind bars.
• If the charge is a first-degree misdemeanor, you can expect to face fines of from $1,500 to $10,000 and up to 5 years behind bars.
• If the charge is a third-degree felony, you can expect to face fines of from $2,500 to $15,000 and a prison sentence of up to 7 years.
• If the charge is a second-degree felony, you can expect to face fines of from $5,000 to $25,000 and a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

Turn to an Experienced Pennsylvania White-Collar Criminal Defense Attorney for the Help You Need

Steven Grosh at the Law Office of Stephen W. Grosh is a seasoned Pennsylvania white-collar criminal defense attorney who is well prepared to skillfully defend your rights in focused pursuit of your case’s best possible resolution. For more information, please contact us online or call us at 717-435-8830 today.