Wanton Disregard
Candlefocus EditorIn the financial Industry, wanton disregard can refer to a number of different circumstances. For example, when professionals in the financial sector, such as financial advisors and employees, willfully disregard regulations or disregard their client's best interests. In these cases, the accused may be charged with wanton disregard.
For a charge of wanton disregard to be justified, there must be provable proof that the accused was careless and reckless about their actions, and did not operate in the best interests of their clients or regulations. Courts may take a variety of factors into account, from evidence of the accused having knowledge of the consequences of their acts but recklessly disregarding same. For example, when an advisor fails to conduct adequate due diligence in investments, leaving their clients open to potential losses, this could be considered as wanton disregard.
Wanton disregard is a very serious label and involves an extremely high degree of negligence. As such, court cases involving this charge are often very complex and costly. Furthermore, convictions involving wanton disregard can lead to severe penalties, including fines, court fees, and potential imprisonment. In extreme cases, those convicted of wanton disregard may even be barred from their field of practice, e.g. the financial industry.
It is important to remember that proving wanton disregard is no easy task, and requires extensive legal knowledge. If accused of wanton disregard, it is highly recommended to seek legal advice from a lawyer who specializes in financial law. Furthermore, it is always recommended to follow all guidelines and regulations, as this is the best way for financial advisors and employees to ensure that they are not accused of wanton disregard in the future.