Fraud Lawyer in Claycomo, 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 protect yourself against them, it’s critical to reach out to an expert Claycomo, MO, criminal defense lawyer right away.
If you need help fighting these charges in Claycomo, MO, you need Combs Waterkotte. Our firm is built on our pride in giving every client a high-quality defense, and we will not rest until you get the justice you deserve. Call us at (314) 900-HELP or sent us a note online today to get started.
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Today, you can read about:
- What sets fraud charges apart from other criminal accusations
- How a fraud lawyer can help when you’re accused;
- The types of charges that fall under the ‘fraud’ category in Claycomo, MO;
- What to do if someone accuses you of fraud;
- Why your Claycomo, MO, fraud lawyer should be someone from Combs Waterkotte;
- 5 strong defenses that our lawyers use in fraud cases; and
- How to contact our Claycomo, MO, fraud attorneys today.
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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 Makes a Crime ‘Fraud’ in Claycomo, MO?
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.
“Fraud” crimes have the following three things in common:
- 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.
How a Fraud Lawyer Defends You Against Criminal Charges
Your fraud lawyer will be by your side from the first phone call, defending your rights and fighting for your freedom. Don’t wait until charges are filed; while you wait, the prosecution is building the case against you.
An expert can help you with the below:
- Explanations of Case – Some laws are easy to understand, but not all of them. A fraud lawyer in Claycomo, MO, can help you understand the ins and outs of the case against you.
- Assistance During Police Interactions – If the police invite you in for questioning, your lawyer can advise you on how to respond.
- Defensive Plan Development – Choosing the right criminal defense strategy can make all the difference for your case. Your lawyer can give you insights into what’s best for you.
- Help Dealing With the Public – There can be several collateral consequences of an accusation, even before a verdict. Your lawyer can help you manage them.
- Negotiating Skills – Most criminal cases end in a plea bargain. Your attorney can help you negotiate a favorable one.
- Representation at Trial – Not every case reaches trial, but if yours does, your attorney will argue against the prosecution and for your innocence.
On your own, you’re in a tough spot against the Claycomo, MO, prosecutor. With Combs Waterkotte at your side, you have a team that’s strong, experienced, and cares about your well-being.
Credit Card Fraud
§ 570.130 RSMo is the first statute that Missouri has regarding Credit card fraud. It restricts how a credit card can be used, mostly making it illegal to use one when you aren’t authorized to. It also makes it illegal to cancel a credit card payment for property taxes, even if you were authorized to make the payment in the first place. Breaking this law is typically only a class A misdemeanor, but can be elevated to a class E felony if the value is high enough.
The second credit card fraud statute in Missouri is § 570.135 RSMo. This makes it illegal to lie in order to get a credit/debit card, or use one that you know was obtained fraudulently. This offense is also a class A misdemeanor.
Bank Fraud
Claycomo, 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 against the law in and of itself, but is more likely to be a part of a greater alleged scheme, and can be just one of multiple charges in these cases. For instance, using another person’s information to apply for a credit card would count as both credit card fraud and identity theft.
Identity theft, according to § 570.223 RSMo, can range anywhere from a class B misdemeanor to a class B felony, depending on the value involved and the individual’s prior history.
Tax Fraud
Never take Tax fraud charges lightly. Tax fraud could mean being accused of intentional tax evasion, or it could mean failing to file a return.
Defenses to tax fraud often center around intent (e.g., a person accidentally underreported their income), but a skilled defense attorney will look for other tactics as well. Some others include good-faith compliance efforts or identifying mistakes on the part of the tax authorities.
Wire Fraud
Wire fraud is a federal crime rather than a state crime. Federal charges are particularly challenging to fight because federal prosecutors have extensive resources, and government investigations often go on for months before charges are filed. It’s critical to work with an experienced criminal defense attorney to fight these charges.
Sometimes, a wire fraud scheme can arise out of a legitimate transaction. For example, if a person was looking to make a down payment on a house, and a hacker sent a false money request pretending to work for the realtor, the hacker could be charged with wire fraud.
Securities Fraud
Securities fraud Missouri has multiple laws that govern securities fraud, but the most important to know about are § 575.120 RSMo, which gives a broad definition, and § 409.5-508 RSMo, which sets the state penalties. § 575.120 RSMo says that securities fraud is when a person manufactures a securities sale dishonestly in order to gain another person’s money. Other statutes set additional rules: For example, § 409.5-502 RSMo sets up additional rules specifically for financial advisors.
As with other criminal convictions, you can face prison time and fines, but with these charges, you can also face major career and financial penalties. If convicted, you could face up to ten years in prison and $1 million in fines, and be up against career-ending restrictions once you’re released.
Other Fraud Charges Our Lawyers Defend in Claycomo, MO
Your fraud lawyer from Combs Waterkotte will fight against the full range of fraud charges in Claycomo, MO. For example, we can help you fight any of the following:
- Welfare Fraud
- Medicare/Medicaid Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Immigration Fraud
- Mail Fraud
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5 Steps to Take After Being Accused of Fraud in Claycomo, MO
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:
- Don’t Answer Police Questions – You have the right to remain silent, and should use it during any police interviews.
- Contact Your Claycomo, MO, Attorney – The first call after an arrest should be your defense attorney. They can help you manage interviews and will all of the following steps.
- Ask for Conditional Release – Posting bail and securing pre-trial release gives you the flexibility to help build your defense.
- Review Any Relevant Evidence – Evidence, such as documents, texts, photos, and data, can be crucial in building a strong defense.
- Work With Your Lawyer to Develop a Defensive Strategy – You’re not alone; an attorney can help you find the best outcome possible for your unique circumstances.
Going to trial is always a risk. But a team of expert fraud defense lawyers can make a major difference in optimizing your outcome. Combs Waterkotte can offer you that.
Combs Waterkotte: Claycomo, MO’s Leading Fraud Lawyers
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 Claycomo, MO, court system.
Don’t settle for second best. Here’s more of what sets us apart:
- We have over 500 five-star reviews.
- We take the time to listen to you.
- We won’t make false promises: We’ll take a realistic approach to your case.
- We make it easy to get a hold of us if you have a question or need an update on your case.
Our clients are our motivation to fight in court – reach out today to have a lawyer work on your case.
Fraud Defenses to Discuss With Your Lawyer
Fraud accusations can be stressful, especially if you don’t have experience with the Claycomo, 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 – This is applicable in cases where the alleged offender provided false information to someone without knowing it was false at the time.
- Immaterial (Non-Fraudulent) False Statement – If you made an opinion-based or vague statement that didn’t hold much weight, we can challenge whether it was enough to qualify as fraud.
- Alleged Victim Wasn’t Influenced – To be fraud, your statement must have impacted the alleged victim’s decision. If they made their decision for entirely other reasons, the law does not consider it to be fraud.
- Alibi – Depending on the nature of the case, we could prove that you were not involved in the interaction, and were otherwise occupied at the time.
- Mistaken Identity – It’s possible that the victim really did experience fraud, but it was at someone else’s hand.
Don’t Wait. Get Help From an Expert Fraud Lawyer in Claycomo, MO Today
This isn’t a time to settle for “good enough.” WIth your future and freedom on the line, you need an expert Claycomo, MO, fraud defense attorney. You need someone who will listen to you. You need Combs Waterkotte.
Talk to a fraud lawyer in Claycomo, MO, right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact our firm online to start building your defense.
