You’ve Heard of White Collar Crime, But There Are Other Colors Too
The term “white collar crime” has been used in legal circles for decades, but crime categorization doesn’t stop there. Many crimes fit into categories like white collar, blue collar, and green collar. Each type of crime is defined by different types of perpetrators, motives, and victims. Take a look at some of the other colors below.
White Collar Crime
White collar crimes are typically committed by those working in business and government sectors. Much like corporate crime, white collar crime is typically financially motivated. These crimes may victimize or exploit investors, customers, government agencies, or entire companies. The term “white collar” comes from the fact that most perpetrators work at high levels of business or government, typically known as white collar fields. Because of their position and power, offenders may have access to resources that make it easy to exploit victims without drawing attention to their misdeeds. Common crimes that fit into this category include:
Ponzi/pyramid schemes
Forgery
Copyright or trademark infringement
Insider trading
Embezzlement
Money laundering
White collar crimes are rarely considered crimes of passion. Rather than being driven by feelings or spur-of-the-moment decisions, offenses in this category are typically carefully planned and carried out to avoid detection.
Blue Collar Crime
While white collar crimes are typically committed by those in high-powered professional positions, blue collar crime refers to offenses typically committed by those at lower socioeconomic levels. Many crimes that fit into this category directly benefit the offender. Examples include theft, burglary, shoplifting, and drug crimes. Some offenses aim to protect perpetrators from the financial or legal consequences of their actions—for example, hit and run offenses. Others are crimes fueled by emotion, including:
Physical assault
Sexual assault
Domestic violence
Vandalism
Green Collar Crime
One term that has gained traction in recent years is “green collar crime.” While many people make a valiant effort to go green and protect the environment, there are those who commit serious crimes that exploit the environment for profit. The crimes that fit into this category negatively impact the environment, indirectly or directly harming flora and fauna, animal species, and humans. Common offenses include:
Water pollution
Deforestation
Air pollution
Hazardous waste dumping
Specific criminal charges vary between countries. Some offenders directly violate laws put in place to protect the environment. In other cases, high-powered government or corporate professionals and agencies exploit the resources of other countries.
Whether you’ve been accused of white, blue, or green collar crime, one thing is true: you need a criminal defense attorney on your side. Schedule a consultation with Abdallah Law today.