A fraud charge is a crime against another person. It can be a felony or a misdemeanour. There are many kinds of fraud, including identity theft, forgery, grand larceny, and other types of fraud. These types of crimes are usually punishable by fines and imprisonment. So, if you have been charged with fraud, you will want to seek legal help immediately.
Forgery
If you are accused of a fraud charge, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defence attorney. You can challenge the charges against you, and your lawyer can explain your options and protect your rights.
A fraud charge can have a serious impact on your life. Your reputation, employment, and relationships could be ruined. Depending on the severity of the charges, the penalties could include jail time and significant fines.
The prosecution must prove that you knowingly made or signed a fraudulent document to be convicted of forgery. Fraudulent documents can be a check, a piece of property, or a signature on a title or letter.
Forgery is considered a felony in all fifty states, but it can be charged as a misdemeanour in some cases. Generally, a forgery charge is punishable by probation, restitution, and substantial fines.
However, the most common type of forgery charge involves falsifying someone else’s signature on a written instrument. Examples of forgery documents include bank statements, checks, deeds, and letters of recommendation. Typically, a forgery is performed before a teller or bank officer.
Defendants who can prove they did not intend to commit fraud can get their charges dropped. It is known as the affirmative defence. It is often combined with the technical forgery defence, which states that the defendant was unaware that the document was forged.
While a forgery case has many moving parts, the intent to defraud is the main element. The prosecution does not have to show that the forgery occurred, but they need to show that it was done with intent to defraud.
Grand Larceny
Grand larceny fraud charges can be devastating for you. The consequences can be life-changing and affect your career, finances and immigration status. Hiring a qualified criminal defence attorney can help you fight the charges and protect you from the most serious penalties.
When you are charged with grand larceny, you face the possibility of jail time. Depending on the value of the property stolen, the charge can range from a Class A misdemeanour to a Class B felony. If you have been arrested, you should hire a lawyer as soon as possible.
Identity Theft
Identity theft fraud charges can have a profound impact on your life. They may negatively affect your credit score, job prospects, and housing situation. If you’ve been accused of identity theft, it’s a good idea to contact an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.
Obtaining information that can be used to commit identity theft is relatively easy. Many criminals use sensitive personal data from a wide variety of sources. These include social security numbers, financial records, tax id numbers, name, address, and telephone numbers.
Depending on the details of the charge, identity theft can carry a fine or years in prison. However, it’s important to remember that penalties vary from state to state. For example, stealing another person’s identity to obtain a credit card is not considered a crime. In contrast, a person who steals the identities of children or elderly people is a felony.
Penalties for a Conviction
You will need to hire an attorney if you have been accused of fraud. Your future is at stake. It would help if you had a solid defence and a savvy strategy for defending your case.
Fraud crimes are punishable by monetary fines and/or prison time. These penalties depend on the type of fraud and whether it is a misdemeanour or felony. Consult with Jameson Law to help you with this.
The penalties can be severe for fraud involving large amounts of money. Some of the most common types of fraud include identity theft, credit card theft and forgery. Felony charges can result in up to 20 years in prison. In addition, a fraud conviction can affect your future employment, financing and housing.
Penalties vary depending on the crime, but a fraud conviction can also cause damage to your professional licence. It is why you need an experienced criminal lawyer to handle your case.
The federal government has several laws that address fraud. When it comes to a criminal case, the prosecutor will investigate the details of your behaviour and will determine whether you will be charged. They may even file a civil lawsuit against your business.
Federal courts have sentencing guidelines that can help a judge decide on the most appropriate sentence for you. However, the guidelines are not mandatory. Many judges rely on them, especially if you have a criminal record.
Depending on the nature of the crime, you may be ordered to pay restitution. Restitution payments are usually made directly to the victims.
You may be subject to a probationary term depending on the specific charge. A probationary term is when you report to a judge or other person. Probationary terms can last from a few months to several years.
