Montgomery County Fraud Lawyer
Fraud can include a wide array of criminal acts, but the main focus is on the misrepresentation carried out to obtain a benefit from the alleged victim. If the government accuses you some fraudulent act, it may affect your future.
Some jobs and professions will not allow you to participate even if the police only charge you with a crime and the court does not convict you. You need to take accusations seriously to protect your reputation and future.
Many fraud charges involve white collar crimes. Though these are usually non-violent offenses, you may still want to aggressive defend yourself. A Montgomery County fraud lawyer may be vital in developing an effective strategy. If a court convicts you, you may find that the conviction follows you the rest of your life. Speak with a skilled defense attorney to learn more about possible penalties and how you can work towards the best possible outcome.
Typical Types of Fraud
Typically fraud offenses are non-violent. The alleged actor may deceive or trick another person or institution to receive some financial gain. The laws involved may be federal or state. Acts may include embezzlement, wire fraud, insurance fraud, and money laundering, among others.
Fraud and Forgery Acts
The majority of state fraud offenses appear in the Pennsylvania Code Title 18 Chapter 41.
Forgery
It is a second-degree felony if a person creates fake money, securities, postage stamps or other government-issued documents. If a court convicts a person of creating a phony will, deed, contract or some other document that affects people’s legal rights, that is a third-degree felony. Creating other forgeries is a first-degree misdemeanor.
Deceptive Business Practices
It is a crime to do any of the following:
- Use a false form of measurement to determine quantity or quality,
- Sell or perform less than what was promised,
- Sell mislabeled or adulterated goods,
- Use misleading or false statements in advertisements,
- Use deceptive or fraudulent statements to make a sale or receive credit.
The previous stated are some forms of deceptive business practices. There are different grades of offenses. If the amount at issue is more than $2,000, a court may convict that person for a third-degree felony. It is a first-degree misdemeanor if the amount in controversy is $200 to $2,000. If the amount at issue is less than $200, then that act is a second-degree misdemeanor.
Insurance Fraud
If a person attempts to defraud the government or an insurance provider through a false claim, that is insurance fraud. Most acts are third-degree felonies. A person may face civil and criminal charges.
Bad Checks
A person may not write a check that they know that the bank will not honor. If the check is for $200 and less than $500, then that is a third-degree misdemeanor. A court may convict a person for a third-degree felony is that person wrote a check for $75,000 or more. If a person writes three or more bad checks during a five-year period, no matter the amount of the checks, that is a first-degree misdemeanor. An experienced attorney could help individuals fight the charges to avoid a conviction.
Let a Montgomery County Fraud Attorney Assist You
A misunderstanding can lead to a fraud charge. You should take any accusation seriously and look into the matter immediately. If a court convicts you, you may face jail time, felony charges, a permanent criminal record, civil penalties and damage to your reputation. Some professions do not allow people who the court convicts of a fraudulent act to participate.
An attorney may be able to explain what potential penalties you may face and how you may be ready to fight those charges. Call a Montgomery County fraud lawyer to learn more and start developing your plan of defense.
