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Balitmore Fraud Lawyer

Fraud is defined as the wrongful or criminal deception that is used for the purpose of financial gain and other types of personal gain. It can result in a criminal charge in federal or state court, but parsing out the particulars in a fraud case can be a complex and difficult endeavor. Being convicted of fraud in criminal court, however, has penalties that include making restitution, fines, probation, and/or significant periods of imprisonment.

If you have been charged with fraud, contacting an experienced defense lawyer should not be optional. Talking to a qualified Baltimore fraud attorney can have a substantial impact on the outcome of your case and your foreseeable future.

Legal Definition of Fraud

Fraud, which is codified in the Maryland Criminal Code, includes a diverse group of crimes that can also lead a criminal defendant to face a lawsuit for the same activity in civil court. Counterfeiting credit cards or any other form of legal tender, theft of welfare benefits, including Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, and housing assistance constitutes fraud in Baltimore.

Exploiting a vulnerable adult, which can include elderly individuals and those with developmental disabilities, also constitutes fraud. Further, getting representation from the Public Defender’s Office based on deception about need is another form of public fraud. Maryland’s fraud statute has a miscellaneous section, which includes criminal penalties for fraud associated with using an alias and others acts that do not fit into a specific fraud category. If a person is questioning whether or not there was an act of fraud, they should call a Baltimore fraud lawyer.

Dishonest Crimes

Dishonest crimes are offenses in which one is accused of taking or appropriating someone else’s property without consent and the accused has no right to that property. In addition to any legal penalties stemming from the crime, there is a negative social stigma in dishonest crimes that can make it difficult for a person that is convicted of such a crime to recover.

Dishonest crimes can result in the loss of security clearance or the ability to renew a security clearance, which can be necessary for government and government contract positions. When an individual has been convicted of fraud, it can be difficult to secure employment in any position that an employer believes would place that person in a position of trust because of the risk to the business and customers.

State Court v. Federal Court

Fraud occurring in Maryland can have a limited or extended impact and that impact dictates whether the accused will be charged in state or federal court.
If the alleged fraud impacts federal agencies or programs, a federally insured bank, or businesses and/or people outside of Maryland, the federal government also has jurisdiction over the incident and can prosecute the case.

The criminal penalties for fraud are significant whether the case is heard in state or federal court, but there are some newer penalties that are possible if an individual is charged in federal court.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Under the current administration at the Department of Justice, federal prosecutors must provide justification for not seeking the maximum available penalty. Since it is unlikely that they will choose to do that in the majority of cases, it is plausible that those that are convicted in federal court will serve longer periods of incarceration. Consequences can be severe, call a Baltimore fraud attorney today.

Talk to a Baltimore Fraud Attorney Today

If you or a loved one are currently facing fraud charges, please do not hesitate to contact a Baltimore fraud lawyer who can examine all the aspects of your case and advise you of your legal options going forward.

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