Maryland Fraud Lawyer
A Maryland fraud lawyer can help you to respond to charges if you are accused of any state or federal fraud offense. Fraud is generally defined as intentionally misstating material facts to induce someone to rely on those facts for your enrichment or to damage the other party. However, there are a variety of specific fraud offenses in Maryland, each with their own formal legal definition. A prosecutor who charges you with fraud must prove every required element of the fraud offense to secure a conviction. Consult with a Maryland criminal defense lawyer to learn more.
How Can a Maryland Fraud Lawyer Help?
Your Maryland fraud lawyer will help you decide how to plead, will negotiate with prosecutors for you, and will represent you in court. You can avoid conviction simply by introducing doubt about guilt, since a prosecutor has to show fraud occurred and must prove each element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. You can also raise defenses such as a lack of intent to defraud, or the truth of the statements you made.
Because fraud charges are often very serious, you deserve to have an advocate looking out for your legal interests. Contact a fraud lawyer in Maryland to represent you.
Fraud Laws in Maryland
Maryland addresses different types of fraud and related crimes in Maryland Code of Criminal Law Title 8. Fraud offenses under this Code Section are divided into different categories including:
- Writing bad checks
- Federal Healthcare Fraud
- Fraud related to credit cards
- Identity fraud
- Other types of commercial fraud
- Fraud against public programs
- Counterfeiting
- Fraud crimes against an estate
- Financial fraud with vulnerable adults as victims
- Miscellaneous fraud offenses
Within these subtitles are a list of criminal acts, along with the definition of each crime. For example:
- Maryland Code Section 8-301 identifies identity fraud to include willfully and knowingly assuming another person’s identity to avoid being apprehended for a crime; to avoid the payment of a debt or a legal obligation; or to obtain credit, services, benefits,or other things of value.
- Maryland Code Section 8-401 identifies the fraudulent conversion of partnership assets to include converting or appropriating money or property that belongs to the partnership for personal use. This type of fraud can also include making false entries in partnership records, or causing false entries to be made, that obscure the true nature of transactions.
- Maryland Code Section 8-509 defines the offense of defrauding a state health plan to include knowingly and willfully using misstatements to obtain money, property, or any other item of value in connection with health care services paid for in whole or in part by the state health plan.
Maryland Fraud Penalties
Penalties for fraud offenses are defined within the specific code section prohibiting the particular type of fraudulent behavior. For example:
- Fraudulently using someone’s identifying information to obtain benefits, credits, goods, services, or items valued at $500 or more is a felony and can result in a $25,000 fine and up to 15 years in prison. If the fraudulent use of someone’s identity is used to secure benefits or items valued at less than $500, the offense is a misdemeanor and conviction could result in up to 18 months imprisonment and fines up to $5,000. (Code Section 8-301)
- Fraudulently obtaining health care benefits or fraudulent health claims can be charged as a felony if the value of money, health care services, and other goods is $500 or greater. Potential penalties include fines up to $100,000, and up to five years imprisonment. (Code Section 8-516)
The type of fraud and the value of the goods are the two determining factors in whether you will be charged with a felony or a misdemeanor. Sometimes, while negotiating a plea agreement, your Maryland fraud lawyer can help you get felony charges reduced to a misdemeanor offense, or can help you to get a prosecutor to recommend a lenient sentence.
Seek Experienced Representation Today
A fraud lawyer in Maryland can help negotiate with a prosecutor on your behalf if you want to resolve your charges through a plea deal. If you want to go to court and plead not guilty, your attorney will represent you throughout this process.
To learn more about what our experienced Maryland fraud lawyers can do to help you in your time of need, be sure to contact our law offices immediately to conduct your free initial legal consultation.