Fraud

A fraud charge can be one of the most difficult to face on both a state and federal level. As Atlanta defense lawyers have seen, these cases often call for subpoenas, in which otherwise confidential financial information can be revealed.

It can also mean wading through many pages of documents, and separate charges for each count of fraud. For instance, if you are accused of credit card fraud, you could be charged and penalized for every swipe of another’s credit card you allegedly made.

Due to the nuance, complexity and time consumption that these cases often entail, it is important for you to seek counsel from an experienced and knowledgeable Atlanta fraud attorney if you are facing such charges.

Since the downfall of the housing market in 2008, and the subsequent recession, many have lost their money in business deals gone awry. Not surprisingly, there has been additional scrutiny on several business practices as the demand for accountability has grown. However, not every financial loss is the result of fraud.

If someone is accused of fraud, prosecutors will be expected to prove their intent to defraud and harm others. In other words, their actions to be deemed fraudulent, the following would have happened:

• The defendant knowingly misled someone or misrepresented information, through statement or omission
• The defendant’s intention was to influence the victim’s actions through this misrepresentation
• The alleged victim suffered harm as a result of this deception. There is no case of fraud without damage

While proving these crimes is no simple task, it is important to take the allegations seriously and enlist the strongest defense possible against them. When a person enlists the help of experienced Atlanta fraud lawyers, they will listen to their unique circumstances and formulate a strategy to obtain the best outcome possible in their case.

The Georgia Code recognizes many different types of fraud. The majority of the lawsuits involving fraud naturally involve some sort of business transaction. There are many instances of fraud under Georgia’s criminal code. In addition to credit card fraud and the other examples listed above, an Atlanta fraud attorney should be contacted for allegations involving:

• Mortgage fraud
• Medicaid/ health care fraud
• Securities fraud
• Motor vehicle fraud
• Identity fraud
• Deceptive business practices
• Improper solicitation of money
• False statements by telephone solicitors
• Tax fraud
• Public corruption

There are many different circumstances in which fraud can be apparent or assumed, depending on the facts of each case. Given the nature of the crime committed, a defendant can be charged with fraud as a felony or fraud as a misdemeanor. To better understand the specific fraud charges someone is facing, they should seek legal assistance as soon as possible, so their Atlanta fraud attorney can begin building the most robust defense for them.

Fraud is one of a host of economic crimes with which Atlanta criminal lawyers have experience. Whether you are facing embezzlement, blackmail, bribery, or any similar offense, they want to help fight for your rights and to build your defense. To be charged with fraud is a serious offense and should not be brushed off lightly. The penalties for committing fraud can result in jail time, monetary penalties, and payment of damages to the injured party.

The ramifications of a fraud charge can stay with a person, not only threatening their liberty and financial security, but also their reputation and their ability to carry out financial or business transactions in the future. You owe it to yourself, your family, and any business partners to fight for your reputation and your freedom. If you are facing fraud charges in Atlanta, Georgia, you do not have to fight them alone.