Fraud Lawyer in Butler, MO. Being accused of fraud may sound manageable at first, but these cases only get more complicated. They often involve large amounts of complex records, expert testimony, and intricate relationships. Fighting these charges effectively is a tall order, and to protect yourself against them, you need to call an expert Butler, MO, criminal defense lawyer.
When you feel outmatched against the prosecution, there’s one law firm prepared to stand by your side: Combs Waterkotte. Our fraud defense lawyers are dedicated to fighting for our clients’ rights and want to help you find the best outcome for your unique situation. You can get assistance at any time by calling (314) 900-HELP or using our online contact form.
Don’t wait until you make a mistake. Call now to protect your freedom.
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Butler, MO, Fraud Lawyer: Page Summary
Today, you can read about:
- What types of crime accusations count as fraud
- The role a fraud lawyer plays in defending you against charges;
- Example offenses that are often labelled as ‘fraud’ in Butler, MO;
- Steps to take if you’re facing fraud accusations;
- Why Combs Waterkotte is Butler, MO’s leading fraud defense law firm;
- Different fraud charge defense strategies that you should discuss with your lawyer; and
- How to get help now fighting your fraud charge.
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What Is the Process For Getting Bail 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.
Can Criminal Charges Be Dropped?
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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 refers to a collection of white-collar crimes where one person tricks another person into giving away their valuables. This is often money, but can be anything of substantial value.
The three main elements that make a crime “fraud” are:
- An intentional act of deception
- The act is done in order to gain something
- This benefit directly hurts another person
Online shopping scams are a frequent encounter in the internet age – in these, a website sells products or services that allegedly don’t fulfill their promises to customers, while still taking their money.
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 failed adoption can fall into either category: Adoption fraud is a process where someone exploits a family for money without any intention to help them adopt a child. But if someone took money from a family with the intention of helping them adopt a child, and something went wrong preventing it from being completed, it would not qualify as fraud.
What Your Butler, MO, Fraud Lawyer Can Do to Protect You
It can be complicated and confusing to try and make it through the legal process on your own. A fraud lawyer can help you find your way. If you learn that you’re charged with fraud or are under investigation, you should contact your defense attorney right away.
You can expect this from your criminal defense attorney:
- Breakdown of the Case – Fraud cases in Butler, MO, tend to be complicated. They often involve multiple alleged statute violations. Your lawyer can help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of the case against you.
- Assistance During Police Interactions – On your own, a police interrogation can be intimidating. Working with a lawyer gives you professional protection.
- Defensive Strategy – You need a proven criminal defense strategy, and an attorney can help you pick the right one.
- Advice on Managing Collateral Consequences – You could face judgment and non-legal consequences as a result of the charges against you. An attorney can give you advice on how to handle it.
- Negotiating Skills – Most criminal cases end in a plea bargain. Your attorney can help you negotiate a favorable one.
- Court Representation – Not every case reaches trial, but if yours does, your attorney will argue against the prosecution and for your innocence.
Find a lawyer that treats you like a person, not a case number. Combs Waterkotte’s Butler, MO, fraud lawyers will do just that.
Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud isn’t a single crime in Butler, MO, but instead is covered by two different Missouri statutes. The first, § 570.130 RSMo, makes it illegal to use a fake or stolen credit card, use one that has been cancelled, or otherwise use it without permission. It has set restrictions on cancelling a payment if that payment was for property taxes. Penalties range from up to a year in jail, if the value spent was under $750 in a 30-day period, to up to four years in prison for higher amounts.
But even if you didn’t misuse a credit card, you can still be accused of credit card fraud. This is covered under § 570.135 RSMo, which makes it a crime to apply for a credit card with false information or to use another person’s ID without authorization. This charge is also punished as a class A misdemeanor..
In some cases, both of the above statutes are charged together. Your lawyer needs to be someone who knows how to handle multiple charges at once.
Bank Fraud
Butler, MO bank fraud cases can vary widely in scope, but all have to do with lying to a financial institution in some form or another.
§ 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 often charged alongside other fraud crimes. For instance, identity theft can be tied to immigration fraud in cases where one person allegedly stole someone’s passport and impersonated that person in order to enter the country.
The key identity theft statute in Butler, MO, is § 570.223 RSMo. This sets a very broad definition of identity theft, including any use of another person’s identity, without authorization, if they had intent to commit fraud.
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. Consequences typically are up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, but these can be increased to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine if the person allegedly impersonated a police officer.
More Common Fraud Charges in Butler, MO, That We Can Help Fight
There’s no fraud charge too big for the Butler, MO, criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte. In addition to the above, we can help fight the following fraud charges:
- Welfare Fraud
- Medicare/Medicaid Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Immigration Fraud
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How to Choose a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Charged with a crime? The lawyer you hire matters. Combs Waterkotte, recognized for top-tier criminal defense in Missouri and Illinois, created this guide to help you find the right attorney. Learn what to look for, key questions to ask, and red flags to avoid.
5 Steps to Take After Being Accused of Fraud in Butler, MO
Fraud accusations are very serious, and if you’re facing any, you need to know your next steps. You’ll need to contact a fraud lawyer as soon as possible, but in the meantime, don’t forget the following:
- Don’t Answer Police Questions – You are not required to answer any police questions without your lawyer present. Politely decline and request to speak with your attorney.
- Get Professional Help – You will likely be given the opportunity to make phone calls after an arrest. Make sure your criminal defense attorney is the first one.
- Post Bail – Posting bail and securing pre-trial release gives you the flexibility to help build your defense.
- Review Any Relevant Evidence – It’s important to collect evidence that can be used to defend you and share it with your fraud lawyer, but don’t do anything that might look like tampering from the outside.
- Work With Your Lawyer to Develop a Defensive Strategy – 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 taking some practical steps sets your case up for the right law firm to guide you the rest of the way.
What Sets Combs Waterkotte’s Fraud Defense Team Apart?
Combs Waterkotte has handled over 10,000 cases, many of them just like yours. With more than 100 years of combined legal experience (both for the prosecutor’s office and the state), our attorneys know how to navigate the Butler, MO, court system.
When you work with us, you can look forward to the following:
- We have over 500 five-star reviews.
- We are focused on you as a person, not just your case.
- We offer flexible payment plans.
- You can get a hold of our offices at any time, day or night.
We’re prepared to take on everyone from the local prosecutor to the United States government – reach out today to connect with an attorney.
5 Possible Fraud Charge Defenses
Fraud accusations can be stressful, especially if you don’t have experience with the Butler, MO, legal system. Your fraud lawyer can help you identify the best defense for your case.
Your fraud defense might look like one of these:
- Lack of Knowledge – In some cases, we can argue that you made a faulty claim unintentionally, and thus had no intent to commit fraud.
- 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.
- Victim Didn’t Rely on Your Statements – To be fraud, your statement must have impacted the alleged victim’s decision. If your statement did not impact their choices, the law does not consider it to be fraud.
- Entraptment – if an undercover officer went too far in encouraging you to commit fraud, we can claim entrapment and build a defense around it.
- 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.
Need a Fraud Lawyer in Butler, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Right Away
Combs Waterkotte is determined to deliver a positive outcome for clients, no matter what their situation is. We will look at your case, evaluate its unique circumstances, and give you honest advice on what is achievable for your defense.
Speak with a fraud lawyer in Butler, MO, at any time at (314) 900-HELP or send us a message online to set up a free, confidential consultation.
