Crimes are categorized based on the type of crime involved. For instance, most people in Calcasieu Parish are aware that there is a difference between federal crimes and state crimes. Although you may not know what the differences are, there is most likely an understanding that federal and state crimes are handled in separate ways. Whether or not an alleged crime is prosecuted in state court or in federal court is dictated by the alleged crime itself. Some alleged crimes can be prosecuted in both courts and when this happens, the powers that be make a decision on the matter.
Along with the categorization described above, a crime can either be violent or non-violent in nature. White-collar crimes are those non-violent crimes that tend to cause a lot of damage to large groups of people and are perpetrated through dishonesty and stealing. The damage is usually financial in nature. Most white-collar crimes are federal crimes and are prosecuted as such. These types of crimes include fraud, money laundering, embezzlement and tax evasion. Financial scams also fall under the white-collar crimes category.
White-collar crimes happen in the business world. The same constitutional rights are applicable to individuals that are charged with a white-collar crime. The same criminal procedural rules are in play meaning just like violent crime, non-violent white collar crimes have elements that need to be proven in a court of law in order for a guilty verdict to be handed down.
Outside of the way the crime is defined, everything else regarding the investigation as well as the legal processes and procedures remain the same.
