There’s no question that being convicted of fraud has the potential to be a life-changing experience. That’s why if you’ve been accused of fraud, your next phone call should be an experienced California fraud defense attorney. Read on to learn more about the potential consequences and defense options and then contact Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell at 909-920-0908 for a free case evaluation.
The legal definition of fraud may surprise you
According to California law, fraud is any act that a person commits in which they intend to get a benefit that’s either unfair and / or undeserved, while also causing a loss to someone or harming someone. The California penal code actually has a long list of fraud types, from insurance fraud to credit card fraud, from mail fraud to internet fraud.
In most cases, the purpose of fraud is to profit, though in other cases the purpose may be to avoid being held criminally responsible for something else. No matter what type of fraud you’ve been accused of, or why you may or may not have committed it, Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell can help.
The potential consequences of a fraud conviction
Since there are so many types of fraud, it stands to reason that there would be a wide range of penalties as well. The consequence of a particular case will vary based on whether it’s charged as a felony or misdemeanor, as well as your criminal record (or lack thereof) and the magnitude of the fraud. Generally speaking, you should expect there to be jail time and steep fines if you’re convicted. In California, your property or assets that were obtained due to the fraud can also be confiscated.
There are a number of legal defenses
The first step when you’re charged with fraud is to contact a criminal defense attorney. When you contact Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell, we’ll assess your situation and come up with the best defense for your unique case. This may involving proving that you weren’t actually the person who committed the fraud. We may work to accomplish that by creating doubt about eyewitness testimony, or by pointing out that the evidence against you is circumstantial and could prove the guilt of someone else.
We may also work to show that entrapment was used to get you to commit the act that’s deemed fraudulent. Another option is to show that you didn’t act with the intent to commit fraud. For a fraud conviction, the prosecutor must prove not just that you took place in an illegal activity but that you did it with the intent to defraud someone to get benefits for you or someone else, and to deprive someone else of those benefits. If we can show that any of that isn’t true, then the charges may be dropped entirely.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation
You have options in California defense attorneys but Law Offices of Torrence L. Howell offers the unique background of an MBA and experience in criminal and business law. This means he understands even the most complicated cases involving fraud and is ready to take on your case. Call our offices today at 909-920-0908 for a free case evaluation.
