When Is Fraud a Felony?
Fraud is one of the most common types of white-collar crimes. It involves deception and the presentation of false information for personal or financial gain. Even without bodily injuries, fraud can still cause harm like loss of a life investment, which still counts as damages.
Therefore, fraud can be handled as a criminal or civil case, and sometimes both. In a civil lawsuit, the victim will be seeking compensation for any financial and non-monetary damages they’ve suffered from the defendant’s fraudulent activities.
As a criminal case, fraud can be classified either as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on various factors. If you’ve been accused of fraud, you might be wondering whether you’ll be facing a felony and how this will affect your life. To understand your charges, consider speaking with a white collar crime lawyer for a case review and to develop a proper defense strategy that can see you avoid a conviction.
When Does Fraud Become a Felony?
A felony is more serious than a misdemeanor, and so are the penalties. If you are charged with any type of fraud as a felony, you’re likely to be facing anywhere from one year to life in prison, depending on things like:
- The amount of money that you’ve allegedly defrauded, if any
- The type of fraud crime you’re charged with
- Prior history of the same crimes
- Whether you’re accused of defrauding the elderly
Defending Yourself Against a Fraud Conviction
The best way to win a case against fraud is by preparing a strong defense. In this case, your best bet is securing the services of a professional criminal defense lawyer because they understand both state and federal laws regarding your charges.
An attorney can conduct a thorough investigation and come up with defenses like mistaken identity or insufficient evidence, argue that you didn’t have any intent, or point out mistakes and misunderstanding, among others, to keep you out of jail.
Partner with a Fraud Defense Lawyer
Fraud is a serious criminal offense, especially when charged as a felony. Being tried at a state or federal court means that you’ll be facing the toughest of prosecutors with evidence that is meant to put you in prison. You should have a strong legal team, as well.
Let the fraud defense lawyers at Chris Lewis & Associates P.C. use their experience and legal expertise to keep you away from a conviction. Dial 214-665-6930 or fill out our contact form below to set up a case review with an attorney.
