As one of Melbourne’s leading criminal law firms, Stary Norton Halphen takes a strategic approach to white collar and corporate crime cases. Our aim is to ensure you understand the case against you, the options you have and the various potential outcomes you face should your case proceed to Court.
Our lawyers have a thorough understanding of the governing legislation concerning white collar and corporate crimes, with a particular focus on individual white collar crime, such as embezzlement and fraud, and crimes involving small-to-medium businesses. We are here to help you understand the case against you and navigate your way through the criminal justice system, whether yours is a complex case, a case involving a fraud against a business or a matter in which you have stolen from your employer.
If you or your business is in breach of a law or regulation constituting white collar or corporate crime and you need an experienced lawyer to defend you, get in touch with Stary Norton Halphen today by calling us on 1800 449 550 or submitting an online enquiry form.
Though often used interchangeably, it’s important to understand the distinction between what constitutes a white collar crime and a corporate crime, as the legal implications and potential penalties resulting from each will be different.
White collar crime typically refers to a crime involving a business that is committed by an individual, whilst corporate crime usually refers to a corporation involved in illegal activity.
Whilst white collar crime is typically committed by an individual against a corporation or business (often a member of the corporation or business itself), corporate crime is committed by a company against individuals in the company, investors and/or creditors, members of the general public, the environment, and/or governing bodies or agencies.
White collar crimes include but are not limited to:
Fraud and cyber fraud;
Bribery, blackmailing and coercion;
Money laundering;
Theft
Obtaining property by deception;
Obtaining a financial advantage by deception;
Possessing proceeds of crime intentionally, recklessly or negligently;
Embezzlement / Misappropriation of assets or funds;
Identity theft;
Insurance fraud;
Tax fraud;
As such crimes may have been committed on an ongoing basis over a number of months or years, they are often complex and require experienced and knowledgeable lawyers to adequately defend you in court.
Charges stemming from corporate and white collar crimes can involve the police, but are also often investigated and prosecuted by a governmental body, such as the Australian Tax Office (ATO), the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC), the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), and/or the Australian Federal Police (AFP).
Penalties and sentences for corporate and white collar crimes are serious and can encompass heavy fines; disqualification of relevant licenses or privileges; barring and exclusion from relevant institutions or organisations; and time in jail.
At Stary Norton Halphen, our legal experts approach every case carefully and strategically. We conduct thorough research into the details of your case and explore every possible defence to ensure you are given the best representation possible. We offer sound and experienced forensic judgement, which will assist you in attaining the best and most cost effective result possible for you having regard to the circumstances of your case.
Stary Norton Halphen’s lawyers will guide you through the details of your case and communicate with you in a language you can understand, so as to ensure you make your decisions in an informed manner and with your eyes wide open as to the potential consequences for you or your company.
If you are facing charges related to a white collar or corporate crime and wish to seek legal representation, get in touch with the criminal law experts at Stary Norton Halphen by calling us on 1800 449 550 or through our online enquiry form. For After Hours enquiries, please call 0407 410 821.
Advice from a competent and experienced criminal lawyer before you are interviewed can and often does have a meaningful impact on the outcome of your case and in some instances, is the difference between whether your matter proceeds to court or not.
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Doyle's Guide First Tier Criminal Law firm (2020, 2021 and 2022).
