Fraud is a broad category of criminal offenses involving some degree of dishonesty or deceit to achieve financial gain. Although this offense rarely involves violence, it could still have harsh consequences upon an accused person’s life.
One of our determined criminal attorneys at Leifert & Leifert could review the facts of your case and advise you on your next course of action. A Lake Worth fraud Lawyer could assist you in constructing a convincing argument to be presented in a Court of law.
What is Considered Fraud?
Fraud includes many different criminal offenses under Florida law. The basis of most fraud crimes is the knowing falsification or misrepresentation of a material fact to a financial transaction. Others must justifiably rely on the inaccurate or fictitious statements ore representations. Fraud is also seen as a crime of opportunity, and individuals often commit this offense in the context of their employment.
There are various means to carry out fraud offenses. Wire, mail, and internet fraud are all common ways to perpetrate a fraudulent scheme. Moreover, when fraud offenses affect interstate commerce or occur in more than one jurisdiction, the case would be treated as a federal offense.
Common Types of Fraud in Lake Worth
While numerous types of fraud exist under state and federal law, some types of fraud occur more commonly than others. Common examples of fraudulent offenses include check fraud and insurance fraud.
Check Fraud
Check fraud primarily occurs when you “bounce” checks or write a check to pay for items or services knowing that your account contains insufficient funds to cover the amount written on the check. On occasion, this can be accidental, but in many cases, check fraud is an intentional means of avoiding paying for merchandise.
Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud can occur in a variety of contexts, including car insurance fraud, homeowners insurance fraud, and health insurance fraud. Common examples include purposely destroying property to file a false insurance claim or staging a car accident to collect an insurance check.
What are the Consequences of Fraud in Lake Worth?
Penalties can vary depending upon the type of fraud, its scope, and the value of the financial gain. For example, under Florida Statutes § 817.60, if you take credit cards belonging to others without their consent to commit a form of credit card fraud, you may be charged with a first-degree Misdemeanor under Florida law. A conviction for a first-degree Misdemeanor offense can result in up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
On the other hand, if you commit insurance fraud by staging a motor vehicle accident, you could be charged with a second-degree Felony. This offense carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years and a maximum $10,000 fine. Due to the severity of the penalties for insurance fraud, anyone facing these charges should consider contacting a Lake Worth fraud Lawyer.
Reach Out to a Lake Worth Fraud Attorney
All fraud offenses may result in fines, restitution orders, and imprisonment. Aside from these consequences, fraud convictions could harm your future employment prospects and may derail your professional career. Fortunately, a skilled Lake Worth fraud Lawyer could advocate on your behalf and fight for a positive outcome in your case.
Building a strong defense in your case may be essential to reaching a favorable resolution to the charges against you. Contact one of our Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert to get started on your case today.
