Montgomery County Fraud Lawyer
The criminal offense of fraud can include credit card fraud, writing bad checks, identity theft, and other offenses that involve providing falsified information. If you have been charged with any form of fraud, a Montgomery County fraud lawyer may be able to help.
While the exact penalty imposed upon a convicted person will vary depending on the nature of the charges, a charge for fraud may include a fine and a term of imprisonment. Because of the severity of these charges, navigating the legal system on your own could prove difficult and overwhelming. A knowledgeable defense attorney could provide legal guidance specific to your case and work tirelessly to prepare an appropriate defense to protect your rights.
Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud is one form of fraudulent behavior. While there are numerous activities that constitute credit card fraud under the Maryland criminal law code, some common forms include:
- Using a stolen credit card
- Altering a legitimate credit card
- Creating a fake credit card and passing it off as legitimate
- Listing false information in an attempt to obtain a credit card
- Falsely embossing or forging a credit card belonging to another person
Check Fraud and Issuing Bad Checks
Issuing bad checks is another form of fraud under Maryland law. Usually, issuing bad checks involves knowingly attempting to write and pass off checks from a closed bank account or from an account for which there are insufficient funds to cash the amount of the offered checks.
A related offense is known as check fraud, which can involve creating fake checks for a nonexistent account or forging a check from another person’s bank account. Due to the varied and nuanced nature of different fraudulent behavior, a MoCo fraud lawyer could help to answer specific questions about the different forms of fraud and the specific charges an individual is facing.
Identity Theft
Identity theft is a type of fraud that involves stealing another individual’s personal, sensitive, or confidential information. Examples of personal information that are sometimes vulnerable to identity theft include bank account passwords, social security numbers, credit card numbers, and medical insurance information.
Identity theft might be committed for different reasons, such as to pose as another person for personal or financial gain—or to avoid detection. The sale of another person’s confidential information to a third party can also constitute identity theft.
Possible Penalties for Fraud
The legal penalties for a conviction of fraud in MoCo depend on several factors, including the specific type of act committed, as well as whether the alleged offense was charged as a misdemeanor or felony. For example, the penalty for issuing a bad check depends on the amount of the check; when the value of the goods or services obtained through writing a bad check is $1,500 or more, the offense is charged as a felony. The maximum penalty upon conviction for issuing a bad check is a fine of up to $25,000 and a sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
Attempting to obtain a credit card by providing false information is usually a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $500 or less and a sentence of up to 18 months in jail or prison. Credit card counterfeiting—which can include creating fake credit cards or altering valid ones—on the other hand, is a felony punishable by a fine of $1,000 or less, as well as a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
The penalties for identity theft convictions vary depending on the nature of the alleged offense as well. However, convictions for certain types of felony identity theft can result in a fine of up to $25,000 and a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. Because of the sliding scale of penalties based on the unique circumstances of each case, a person facing charges may benefit from the knowledge of a MoCo fraud attorney to understand the specific charges—and subsequent penalties—they face.
How a Montgomery County Fraud Attorney May Help
Maryland laws on fraudulent behavior can be difficult to understand, as many different forms of fraud are detailed in the criminal law code. If you were charged with fraud, seeking the legal advice of a Montgomery County fraud lawyer may prove beneficial.
A tenacious and dedicated attorney could work tirelessly to develop a defense, safeguard your legal rights, and help you fight for an optimal resolution. To discuss your circumstances, call a legal professional today.