Fauquier County Fraud Lawyer
Fraud is not a victimless crime. Someone is accused of perpetrating the crime, and someone else lost money or property because of the crime. If you have been arrested for fraud, you may need to hire an accomplished criminal defense criminal attorney immediately to fight these criminal charges.
There are many different types of fraud offenses and a Fauquier County lawyer has the experience to defend you against these charges. Call today to get started on your defense.
Types of Fraud
Fraud encompasses a variety of crimes. Under Chapter 6 of the Virginia Code, crimes involving fraud include:
- Forgery
- Passing bad checks
- Using false representations to obtain credit or property
- Credit card fraud
- Identity theft
- Embezzlement
- Impersonating public safety personnel
- Impersonating a law enforcement officer
- Receiving stolen goods
While these are some of the most common fraud charges in Virginia, the potential for fraud exists in almost any conceivable situation. Speak with a knowledgeable lawyer for more information about the different types of fraud charges.
State and Federal Fraud Crimes
Certain types of fraud are generally charged as federal crimes. This includes any alleged crimes involving a federal agency, such as the Internal Revenue Service, or a federal bank. Such cases are handled in one of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia’s courthouses.
Fraud charged as a state crime is generally limited to the state of Virginia and does not include any type of federal involvement. However, some fraud charges involve both state and federal crimes.
State and Federal Fraud Penalties
Many state fraud crimes are considered Class 1 misdemeanors. Penalties may include up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. Other state fraud crimes are considered felonies, and the difference is generally the amount of money or value of the property involved. For example, credit card fraud in Virginia, if totaling more than $200 over a six-month period, is a felony and punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.
If charged with a federal crime, penalties are much steeper. For example, certain types of bank fraud, when charged on the federal level, may bring a prison sentence of up to 30 years, along with a fine of up to $1 million. A person convicted of the same crime on the state level still faces serious prison time – up to 20 years – and a fine of up to $100,000, but the penalty differences are significant. Whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony charge, it is essential for a defendant to seek the services of a Fauquier County fraud lawyer.
Let a Fauquier County Fraud Attorney Assist
A Fauquier County fraud lawyer could defend someone facing state or federal fraud charges. In the latter case, the defendant faces the powerful resources of the U.S. Department of Justice, but that is not a reason to lose hope. A dedicated attorney will defend you aggressively on each aspect of the charges.
If you have been charged with fraud, you are facing serious fines and possible incarceration. That means you need the services of an experienced Fauquier County fraud attorney. Call the offices as soon as possible to arrange a consultation. It is important that you do not speak with authorities after your arrest until you have obtained legal counsel.
