If you have recently been charged with fraud, it’s important to get in touch with a fraud lawyer in San Francisco, CA promptly. A fraud charge is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about fraud charges.
What Constitutes Fraud?
Fraud occurs when someone purposely deceives a person or business of money or property. There are several types of fraud, including embezzlement, writing bad checks, identity theft, insider trading and credit card fraud.
What Are the Penalties for Fraud?
If you get convicted of fraud, you may face harsh penalties, such as fines and prison time. You may also have a permanent criminal record, which can make it more difficult to obtain employment, rent apartments and get a gun permit. If your friends and family members find out about your conviction, they may start viewing you in a negative light and not spend as much time with you. Since the penalties of fraud are so severe, it is important to retain an experienced lawyer promptly.
What Should You Do After Getting Arrested for Fraud?
Getting arrested for fraud can be a very frightening experience. However, it is important to remain calm and take the necessary steps to improve your chances of a favorable outcome. If the police ask to speak to you about your case, politely decline. It is important to exercise your right to remain silent. The police only want to gather information they can use against you later on.
Then, you should hire an experienced fraud lawyer in San Francisco, CA to represent your case. He or she will review your case and come up with the best possible defense.
What Are the Defenses for Fraud?
If you’ve been accused of fraud, there are multiple defenses you may be able to use. For example, if you were mistaken for someone who actually committed the crime, you may be able to argue mistaken identity. In this situation, you would have to provide an alibi on where you were when the crime was being committed.
If you were forced by another person to commit fraud, you may be able to use the entrapment defense. The other person may have threatened you with harm if you did not commit the crime.
Schedule a consultation with a fraud lawyer in San Francisco, CA today.