White-Collar Crime Charges in Ottawa

Ottawa Criminal Lawyer Céline Dostaler provides legal support for white-collar crime allegations. Contact her to help protect your rights: 613.863.8595

White Collar Crime Charges: Legal Defence

White collar crime refers to offences committed with the intention of producing financial gain. They usually involve the use of some form of deception.


The crime is termed ‘white-collar’ as it is usually committed by people who are in the business world. These people hold positions that allow them access to large amounts of money that belong to other people. In many cases, white collar crimes do not involve violence, drugs, or other overtly illegal activities. Coincidentally, in most cases, the perpetrators are usually law abiding citizens holding very respectable positions in society.

Presently, laws in Canada and around the world are becoming even tighter around business crimes. There is a widespread commitment to enforcing these laws even more vigorously, however the high profile prosecutions that are flooding the media are not helping.

Examples of White Collar Crimes

• Identity theft
• Fraud
• Telemarketing fraud
• Forgery
• Embezzlement of funds
• Internet scams
• Violation of intellectual property rights
• Tax evasion
• Investment treaty violations
• Medical malpractice

Punishment for White Collar Crimes

The minimum punishment for white collar crimes, when the case proceeds by indictment, is two years imprisonment — if the total value of the offence exceeds one million dollars.

Sentencing for white collar crimes is dependent on:

• The complexity of the offence
• The duration and degree of planning that went into the execution of the crime
• The magnitude of the outcome of the offence on the victims. The significance of the offence is determined by the personal circumstances of the victims, including their financial situation, health, and age.

Céline Dostaler, an experienced criminal lawyer in Ottawa, can assist in maneuvering through your white-collar crime charges.