Criminal Fraud in Pelham

Fraud occurs whenever someone misrepresents information to trick someone else into doing something that benefits the person misrepresenting the information. There are several types of fraud and depending on who is defrauded, it may be a state or federal offense. These cases may become complex since a person may claim to be the victim of the fraud when they merely misunderstood what they were agreeing to do. If you believe you have been falsely accused of fraud, it may be time to speak with a Pelham fraud lawyer.

A hard-working defense attorney could explain the possible penalties related to a fraud conviction and the various options you may have in dealing with an accusation. Anytime you need to deal with the court system or government representative, you may find it vital to have a representative on your side.

There are many types of fraud under state and federal laws. Some federal crimes involve mail fraud, bank fraud, wire fraud, and health care fraud. State crimes may include:

• Forgery
• Obtaining signatures by deception
• Using valueless checks or other negotiable instruments
• Credit card fraud
• Business fraud
• Charitable fraud
• Residential mortgage fraud

The specific offense that is charged is typically decided after examining the facts of the case. Defendants are advised to contact a Pelham fraud lawyer to review their case and explain their options. A well-versed attorney who is familiar with the type of fraud the accused is being charged with could help.

If a person delivers a check to another person knowing or expecting the bank will not honor the check, they have fraud. While check fraud is a Class A misdemeanor, certain circumstances may elevate the charges. This could include individuals giving intentionally bad checks to pay child support.

It is illegal to possess a credit card without the consent of the owner. It is also fraudulent to use a stolen card, to use a canceled card, or to use a card without the owner’s consent. Doing so is considered a Class D felony, as found in Code of Alabama.

There is a multitude of acts that can be considered business fraud. These include deceptive business practices, false and bait advertisement, falsifying business records, and giving false information to creditors. Deceptive business practices involve a business offering one thing to the purchaser and delivering something else. It is a Class B misdemeanor, as noted in Code of Alabama §13A-9-41.

Fraud carries different penalties depending on the specific charge. A felony charge may result in more than one year of jail and a large fine while a misdemeanor charge may result in up to one year in jail.

If the court convicts a person of fraud, their professional and personal life may also be negatively affected by having a crime of moral turpitude on their record. This can make it difficult to secure different jobs, rent a home, and work in certain professions. Given the far-reaching consequences, it is important to work with a skilled Pelham fraud attorney who could help fight allegations.

If you were accused fraud, you may want to speak with an attorney. A conviction can affect you far into the future and even an arrest can show up on a background check and result in undesirable repercussions. Reach out to a Pelham fraud lawyer to learn more about different defenses available to you and how you may be able to best protect yourself now and in the future. Call now to get started.