Fraud Lawyer in Blue Valley, MO. Missouri doesn’t have a particular law dedicated to “fraud.” Instead, fraud is considered a category of laws that refer to certain types of theft – specifically, non-violent offenses where the supposed offender used deception to allegedly trick another person. These accusations need to be taken seriously, and to maximize your chance of a positive outcome, it’s critical to reach out to an experienced Blue Valley, MO, criminal defense lawyer right away.
When you’re in a bad situation, Combs Waterkotte is here to help you out of it. We are a dedicated law firm with over 100 years of combined legal experience, and we want to give you a high-quality, trial-ready legal defense. When you call us, you’ll get to talk with an attorney about your charges and the best way to handle them, no matter what they are and when you need help. Reach out now at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to get started.
Don’t wait until the prosecution has already built a case against you. Our team is ready for your call 24/7.
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Blue Valley, MO, Fraud Lawyer: Page Summary
On this page, you can read about:
- What makes a crime a ‘fraud crime;’
- Things that your Blue Valley, MO, fraud lawyer will do to set your case up for success;
- Example offenses that are often labelled as ‘fraud’ in Blue Valley, MO;
- Your next steps after being accused of fraud;
- Why Combs Waterkotte is Blue Valley, MO’s leading fraud defense law firm;
- Defenses our attorneys use against fraud charges; and
- How to contact our Blue Valley, MO, fraud attorneys today.
Legal Videos
The Complete Guide to Criminal Defense in Missouri
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Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
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The Complete Guide to Criminal Defense in Missouri
The Complete Guide to Criminal Defense in Missouri. Attorneys Christopher Combs, Matthew Brown, and Martell Turner from Combs Waterkotte discuss everything you need to know about Missouri criminal …
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders?
Are Private Attorneys Better Than Public Defenders? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs talks about the differences in a defendant's experience when working with a public defender vs. a …
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri?
What Is the Process For Getting Bail in Missouri? If you've been arrested, the first thing you want to do is get out of jail and get back home. Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs …
How Does Plea Bargaining Work?
Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses how he negotiates the most favorable plea bargaining deals for his clients. You can read a transcript of the interview below.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
Can your criminal case get dismissed? How can your defense attorney get your case dismissed? Missouri criminal defense attorney Chris Combs discusses what needs to happen to have your charges …
Public Defender Caseloads Are High. Can I Trust One With My Case?
St. Louis defense attorney Chris Combs explains how a private defense lawyer can offer the resources and attention to detail that many public defenders don't have time for. You can read a …
What Are Fraud Crimes?
Fraud cases are a subset of white-collar crimes where a person allegedly uses deception to relieve another person of their valuables. This doesn’t have to be money, though, or even a physical object; in some cases, you can be accused of fraud for allegedly tricking someone out of services.
When trying to determine if an alleged crime counts as “fraud,” look for the following:
- The act of lying committed with intention
- The intentions behind the lie were to gain something
- The gain comes at the expense of someone else
Romance scams are a popular form of online fraud. In them, an alleged perpetrator feigns affection for the alleged victim to later ask them for money or other favors.
Sometimes, two very similar actions can be labelled as fraud, but sometimes, one will not fit all the criteria. The most common distinction is that of intention: Without intention to lie to someone, an action is typically not considered fraud. A vacation fraud is an interesting example: A common example of this fraud would be a person booking a premium vacation package, but finding an inferior room once they arrive. If the proper accommodations were never there to begin with, that would be fraud. But if a plumbing problem damaged the original room and rendered it inoperable, that would not count as fraud.
What Your Blue Valley, MO, Fraud Lawyer Can Do to Protect You
Your fraud lawyer will be by your side from the first phone call, defending your rights and fighting for your freedom. If you learn that you’re charged with fraud or are under investigation, you should contact your defense attorney right away.
When you work with a fraud lawyer, you’re getting the following:
- Breakdown of the Statutes – Some laws are easy to understand, but not all of them. A fraud lawyer in Blue Valley, MO, can help you understand the ins and outs of the case against you.
- Advice During Questioning – Get help beyond just pleading the fifth; your lawyer can help you understand when it’s a good idea to talk to the police and when it’s best to stay silent.
- Defensive Investigation – Investigation isn’t just for the state: A leading criminal defense firm will offer investigative services to find exculpatory evidence.
- Advice on Managing Collateral Consequences – There can be several collateral consequences of an accusation, even before a verdict. Your lawyer can help you manage them.
- Connections Within the State – Many cases’ success depends on relationships with local prosecutors. This can help secure favorable plea deals that protect your life.
- Trial-Ready Defense – Trials can be one of the most difficult situations for a person to go through. Your lawyer will help guide you through, from opening arguments to the verdict (or sentencing, if needed).
Your lawyer should listen to your side of the story, and your defense should be tailored to you. Combs Waterkotte embodies this philosophy for all of our Blue Valley, MO, clients. We fight to find the best outcome in your case, and won’t stop until you get the justice you deserve.
Credit Card Fraud
Blue Valley, MO, credit card fraud cases typically fall into one of two categories, depending on the statute in question. § 570.130 RSMo is the Missouri state statute that mostly covers the illegal use of a credit card, depending on whether or not you had permission to use it. It specifically states that forged, stolen, revoked, and cancelled cards cannot be used. It also makes it a crime to use a credit card (regardless of its legitimacy) to pay property taxes then cancel it without a good reason. Any of these actions is typically a class A misdemeanor, but this can be increased to a class E felony if $750 or more was used in a 30-day period.
Credit card fraud cases in Blue Valley, MO, can also involve § 570.135 RSMo, which is also a class A misdemeanor. This law has less to do with the literal unauthorized use of a credit card, and more to do with how a credit card was gotten. Lying on an application, using someone else’s ID without their permission, or carrying a credit card that was obtained in either of these ways is a violation of this statute.
Bank Fraud
Bank fraud, similar to credit card fraud, is defined by multiple statutes in Missouri, depending on the specific actions involved. However, in this case, there is one main statute that defines bank fraud.
§ 570.148 RSMo is the main bank fraud statute, which criminalizes tricking a bank into withdrawing money that isn’t yours. Another bank fraud statute is § 570.120 RSMo, which makes it a crime to write a check when you know there isn’t enough money in your account.
Identity Theft
Identity theft is another alleged crime that can be charged on its own, but is frequently done alongside another alleged violation. As a hypothetical, using another person’s information to apply for a credit card would count as both credit card fraud and identity theft.
According to § 570.223 RSMo, identity theft hinges on intent. That specific statute covers attempts to obtain and/or use an identity that they are not supposed to, when they have intent to deceive or defraud. This intent can be used to create doubt, but this can be tricky to do in court. Talk with a lawyer about the best strategy for your particular case.
Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud can vary widely depending on the type of insurance and the alleged action. In some cases, it can mean a doctor billing insurance for procedures that were never performed. In others, it could consist of making exaggerations on a claim, such as artificially inflating medical bills.
§ 375.991 RSMo covers all sorts of insurance fraud in Missouri, including auto, health, life, property, and more. In addition to defining insurance fraud and setting penalties, this statute also sets rules for how the state can investigate these charges.
Wire Fraud
Wire fraud is often charged as a federal crime, rather than a state crime. It is a form of internet fraud and has a very broad definition, including any use of wire, radio, or television to allegedly trick someone into giving you their money or property.
Some wire fraud schemes are vast and complex, but others are relatively straightforward. An alleged advance-fee scam is technically wire fraud and can result in harsh penalties.
False Impersonation
False impersonation is technically different from fraud offenses, but because impersonating someone else is a common tactic used by alleged fraudsters, it’s normal for it to be charged alongside fraud charges.
As outlined in § 575.120 RSMo, false impersonation is one of three things: 1. Pretending to be a government official, 2. Pretending to be a licensed professional (like a doctor), or 3. Misrepresenting who you are to a police officer, after being placed under arrest. This is a class B misdemeanor, or a class A misdemeanor if they impersonated a police officer.
More Common Fraud Charges in Blue Valley, MO, That We Can Help Fight
Your fraud lawyer from Combs Waterkotte will fight against the full range of fraud charges in Blue Valley, MO. Here are some more common charges we can help you with:
- Welfare Fraud
- Medicare/Medicaid Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Immigration Fraud
- Mail Fraud
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What to Do If You’ve Been Accused of Fraud
Criminal fraud cases can last a while, and it’s important to start building your defense early. When you take the following five steps, you’re improving your chance of a positive outcome:
- Plead the Fifth – You have the right to remain silent, and should use it during any police interviews.
- Call Your Blue Valley, MO, Fraud Lawyer – You will likely be given the opportunity to make phone calls after an arrest. Make sure your criminal defense attorney is the first one.
- Secure Pre-Trial Release – There are many benefits to posting bail. Pre-trial release can give you a chance to breathe while you build your defense.
- Look for Exculpatory Evidence – Evidence, such as documents, texts, photos, and data, can be crucial in building a strong defense.
- Build a Defense Plan With Your Attorney – It’s your lawyer’s job to present the best defense possible for your case, and build a strategy based on your story.
If you’ve just been charged with fraud, you probably don’t know where to go. But if you follow these steps and work with a reputable law firm like Combs Waterkotte, you’ll maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
Combs Waterkotte: Build a Strong Fraud Charge Defense in Blue Valley, MO
You deserve a high-quality defense. Combs Waterkotte can give you that. Our team understands how the prosecution builds its case against you, and will look for weaknesses to exploit.
We are dedicated to our clients, and take pride in offering comprehensive legal services to Blue Valley:
- We have over 500 five-star reviews.
- We treat every client with individualized care.
- We don’t charge by the hour.
- We have representatives ready for your call during evenings and weekends, because arrests can happen outside of regular business hours.
Our clients are our motivation to fight in court – reach out today to connect with an attorney.
5 Possible Fraud Charge Defenses
We take the time to listen to your story, investigate and learn about your case, and then craft a defense based on what will work best for you. There are many overarching strategies to draw from, and a fraud lawyer in Blue Valley, MO, will take the time to pick the right one for you.
Here are some examples that your lawyer might recommend:
- Lack of Knowledge – This is applicable in cases where the alleged offender provided false information to someone without knowing it was false at the time.
- Statement Was Not Fraudulent – While lying is generally considered immoral, it’s not always illegal. The prosecution has to prove that your statements reached the level of fraud, while we can argue that they were insubstantial.
- Alleged Victim Wasn’t Influenced – Fraud convictions require the alleged victim to have been significantly influenced by your statements. If the statements did not actually influence the alleged victim’s decision, the law does not consider it to be fraud.
- Evidentiary Issues – If the state violated your rights or chain of custody while gathering evidence, we can fight to have it suppressed.
- Lack of Participation – In larger fraud schemes, it’s possible for innocent bystanders to unknowingly be caught up in the process. If you weren’t participating in the scheme, you shouldn’t have to face penalties for it.
Don’t Wait While Your Future Slips Away. Call Combs Waterkotte Today
This isn’t a time to settle for “good enough.” WIth your future and freedom on the line, you need an expert Blue Valley, MO, fraud defense attorney. You need someone who will listen to you. You need Combs Waterkotte.
Start building your defense with a fraud lawyer in Blue Valley, MO, at any time at (314) 900-HELP or tell us about your case online to start building your defense.
