Identity theft is often seen as an intimate violation of a person’s information and finances, and those convicted of this offense may face hefty consequences up to and including a jail sentence. Common examples of this offense could be the unauthorized use of another person’s credit card, theft of a person’s social security number, or forgery on a check.
If you are charged with this offense, it may be essential to retain the services of one of our professional fraud Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert. A Pompano Beach identity theft Lawyer could work with you to review the details of your case and inform you of what legal options are available to you.
Identity Theft in Pompano Beach
Identity theft could take the form of various particular infractions. Common examples of this offense with which a Pompano Beach identity theft Attorney could provide assistance include:
- Possession of another person’s identifying information
- Criminal use of another person’s identifying information
- Check forgery
- Use of another’s personal identity to obtain prescription drugs or medical care
- Credit card fraud
The law prescribes different penalties based on the exact circumstances of the alleged act, and associated charges could range from second-degree Misdemeanors up to first-degree felonies. Depending on the specific charge, a Court may sentence a convicted person to jail or probation and order you to pay fines and restitution.
Criminal Use of Another’s Identity
Florida Statutes §817.568 prohibits the unauthorized use of another person’s personal identifying information. Personal information can include a person’s name, address, email, social security number, and date of birth. It can also include medical records, as well as any other information specifically pertaining to a particular person.
At its most basic level, the fraudulent use or possession of a person’s identity is a third-degree Felony. If the fraudulent use involved harm in the form of $5,000 or involved 10 to 19 people, the offense may be considered a second-degree Felony.
If the offense involved more than $50,000 or affected at least 20 to 29 people, that may be considered a first-degree Felony with a minimum sentence of five years. If more than $100,000 or 30 people were involved, the Court could sentence the convicted person to at least ten years in prison. Therefore, it is critical for defendants to seek the services of our dedicated Lawyers at Leifert & Leifert.
Possession of Another’s Identity
As found in Florida Statute §817.5685, if a person possesses another person’s identification card or other identifying information, the offense may be charged as a first-degree Misdemeanor. If a person has identifying information of five or more people, that is a third-degree Felony.
For the latter charge, a Court may sentence a convicted person to up to five years in prison and order that person pays a fine of up to $5,000. A Pompano Beach identity theft Lawyer could help you differentiate between different levels of this charge and determine how best to proceed with your particular defense.
Get Help from a Pompano Beach Identity Theft Attorney
Identity theft can be a complicated matter to handle. There could be criminal and civil charges involved, as well as both state and federal laws.
To fully understand the gravity of the charged held against you, talk to a Pompano Beach identity theft Lawyer today. Our Attorneys at Leifert & Leifert may be able to help you aggressively defend against any accusations made against you, protect your reputation, and potentially avoid a criminal record.
