There are two general categories of crime: white collar and blue collar. The term “blue collar” is not a formal legal term. It is a layman’s term to describe the types of crimes you would probably think about more often, such as violent or property crimes.
Blue collar crimes, according to Notre Dame College Online, have a clear victim. They generally limit the scope of harm to one person or a small number of people directly affected by the actions of the accused. Law enforcement can easily see a crime occurred because the victim will usually report it or witnesses observe it.
White collar crime is unique
White collar crime is more complex in that it does not always have an obvious victim. The victimization often has a waterfall effect so that it ends up as a widespread impact on a group of people. The crimes may impact organizations as well.
These crimes are usually not violent, and the people who commit them are often part of a government or a business. They often commit the crimes in their professional capacity, which can make them more difficult to discover. The people committing a white collar crime are often those with no other criminal history. In many cases, they are people who have a good reputation in their communities and business fields.
Types of white collar crimes
White collar crimes usually involve money. They may include embezzlement, fraud and money laundering. These are high-level crimes that often require planning and cover-ups. They also commonly use power to manipulate the situation or people involved.
