Annapolis Fraud Lawyer

Fraud covers a wide range of illegal actions, from relatively minor offenses to very serious crimes. Whether you are charged with writing bad checks or identity theft, the penalties can be potentially severe, especially if the incidents are repeated or involve a large sum of money. Consulting an Annapolis fraud lawyer in this situation may be key to raising an effective defense in your case.

Even a conviction on a misdemeanor fraud offense could have adverse repercussions for your future. Since fraud inherently involves dishonesty, you may have difficulties furthering your education, getting certain jobs, and pursing some careers. By enlisting the assistance of an experienced criminal defense lawyer, you may be able to avoid or minimize some of these possible consequences.

An Overview of Fraud Offenses

Fraud offenses can take many forms. They may involve a single person and small amounts of money or large schemes that involve many individuals and thousands of dollars. For instance, some types of fraud include bad checks, credit card offenses, bank fraud, counterfeiting, and embezzlement. Individuals may face elevated charges or harsher punishments if they have any prior criminal history or the transactions involve large sums of money.

Other examples of fraud offenses include fraud against state health and other public programs, financial fraud against vulnerable adults, identity theft, and fraud against estates. A conviction for any of these offenses under certain situations may result in very harsh consequences. Therefore, it is wise for defendants to seek the services of a dedicated Annapolis fraud lawyer.

Penalties for Fraud in Annapolis

The punishments for fraud offenses often are tied closely to the value of the items, funds, or services that are the subject of the fraud offense. For example, according to Md. Code, Crim. Law § 8-301, the penalties for certain types of fraud based on the value of the items are categorized as follows:

• If the value is more than $100, but less than $1,500, the offense is a misdemeanor, resulting in up to one year of incarceration and a $500 fine
• If the value is more than $1,500, but less than $25,000, the offense is a felony, resulting in up to five years of incarceration and a $10,000 fine
• If the value is more than $25,000, but less than $100,000, the offense is a felony, resulting in up to 10 years of incarceration and a $15,000 fine
• If the value is more than $100,000, the offense is a felony, resulting in up to 20 years of incarceration and a $25,000 fine

Additional penalties may include paying restitution, as well as necessary attorney fees for clearing up any credit history or debt problems for the subject of the fraud. The fraudulent offenses for which individuals are subject to these punishments include fraudulently possessing or obtaining the personal identifying information of another to obtain some sort of benefit, identity theft, and using re-encoder and skimming devices to obtain personal information, among others. For more information about the possible penalties for fraud, call a knowledgeable defense lawyer.

Credit Card Fraud

One prevalent type of fraud involves credit cards. More specifically, Md. Code, Crim. Law § 8-204 makes it illegal to take a credit card from another without consent, as well as receive a credit card that individuals have taken from another without consent, with the intent to use, sell, or transfer it to someone other than the cardholder. This offense is a misdemeanor and may result in a jail sentence of up to 18 months and a $500 fine.

Another type of fraud involving credit cards is described in Md. Code, Crim. Law § 8-301. Under this section, it is unlawful to fraudulently obtain the personal identifying information of another to obtain any kind of benefit, including credit cards.

Likewise, it is illegal to fraudulently obtain credit card numbers belonging to others without their consent by using an interactive computer system or to assume the identity of another to gain a benefit, such as a credit card.

Let an Annapolis Fraud Attorney Assist

Fraud is an expansive term that encompasses many different types of illegal actions. Most fraud offenses involve purely monetary or credit transactions, rather than any physical force, weapons, or violence. In many cases, as your Annapolis fraud lawyer will acknowledge, fraud is referred to as a white-collar crime. Nonetheless, the penalties for offenses involving fraud can be severe. If you are facing any type of fraud-related charges, getting legal advice before attempting to handle your case on your own may be a wise choice.