Dumfries Fraud Lawyer

The practice of deceiving another person or party for financial or personal gain is considered fraud. There are many types of fraud, but a conviction for any type carries serious penalties. If you have been accused of fraud, you must act quickly to safeguard your personal freedom and your reputation.

Fraud laws cover everything from credit cards to taxes, and the penalties you face will depend on the exact type of fraud charge you are facing. In general, the more money you are believed to have taken from a party, the more severe your punishment will be. For this reason, you should hire a Dumfries fraud lawyer to defend you against these charges. Having a dependable criminal defense attorney on your side could increase your odds of a favorable outcome.

Common Types of Fraud

Chapter 6 of Code of Virginia § 18.2 defines several different types of fraud. Some of the most common types include:

• Using false statements to obtain property or credit: This includes both paper documents and electronically signed documents. A person can be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor even if they obtain property or credit for another person or organization.
• Bad checks: Writing a check knowing there isn’t enough money in the account to cover the amount can be treated like a theft.
• Falsifying transcripts or diplomas: If a person alters a diploma or transcript from a university or college, they can be found guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor.
• Credit card theft: Using a credit card belonging to someone else without their permission is a type of fraud. Anyone convicted of credit card fraud can face up to 20 years behind bars.
• Money laundering: If a person conducts a financial transaction knowing the property or money transferred are the proceeds of a criminal felony, they can be convicted of a felony punishable by up to 40 years in prison. Even if they just convert that property or cash into another type of asset, they can be convicted of a Class 1 demeanor.
• Tax fraud: Providing the IRS with false or misleading information can result in a charge of tax fraud. Such charges are serious and can lead to jail time.

Many fraud charges are related to each other, so it is possible for a person to face multiple charges for a single action. Law enforcement agencies also seek to add on multiple charges if a person commits more than one charge of fraud. The more charges a person faces, the more severe their punishment will be if they are convicted. Those who are facing any of these charges should seek the aid of a nearby fraud attorney as soon as possible.

Examples of Fraud Misdemeanors and Felonies

Some of the misdemeanors related to fraud that a person could be charged with include:

• Illegal use of an insignia
• Impersonating an officer
• Recording a movie in a privately-owned theater

However, there are a number of more serious crimes that can be charged as felonies. They include:

• Forging money
• Obtaining money or signature by false pretense
• Issuing bad checks
• Identity theft
• Welfare fraud

Someone convicted of a Class 6 felony can spend up to five years in jail and have to pay a fine of up to $2,500. The punishments can vary, however, so it is wise to have a fraudulent activities lawyer in Dumfries who could ensure that the defendant is not unfairly charged or given a sentence harsher than what the law allows.

Learn More from a Dumfries Fraud Attorney

Fraud is a serious offense, and anyone convicted of it could spend time in jail or have to pay a substantial fine. If you want to avoid such penalties, it may be in your best interest to hire an attorney who knows how to fight fraud charges. The right attorney might be able to get your charges reduced or dropped completely. Learn more about these laws and what could be done in your specific situation by contacting a Dumfries fraud lawyer today.