Fraud Lawyer in Dearborn, 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. You can’t take these charges lightly, and to maximize your chance of a positive outcome, you need to call an experienced Dearborn, MO, criminal defense lawyer right away.
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.
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Dearborn, MO, Fraud Lawyer: Page Summary
Today, we will go over:
- What makes a crime a ‘fraud crime;’
- Things that your Dearborn, MO, fraud lawyer will do to set your case up for success;
- The types of charges that fall under the ‘fraud’ category in Dearborn, MO;
- 5 steps you need to take if you’re charged with a fraud crime;
- What sets Combs Waterkotte apart as leading fraud lawyers in Dearborn, MO;
- Examples of fraud charge defense strategies; and
- How to talk to a fraud lawyer in Dearborn, MO, today.
Legal Videos
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 …
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 Makes a Crime ‘Fraud’ in Dearborn, MO?
Fraud crimes are white-collar crime cases where someone is accused of cheating another person by lying to them. It often consists of a person misrepresenting themselves in order to gain something, often for a financial benefit.
When trying to determine if an alleged crime counts as “fraud,” look for the following:
- An intentional act of deception
- In some way, the supposed offender gains an advantage from the deception
- 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.
Intention plays a key role in fraud allegations. Without intent to defraud someone, an action is generally 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.
Professional Help That a Fraud Lawyer Can Provide in Dearborn, MO
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:
- Explanations of Statutes – Fraud cases in Dearborn, 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 – If the police invite you in for questioning, your lawyer can advise you on how to respond.
- Defensive Strategy – You need a proven criminal defense strategy, and an attorney can help you pick the right one.
- Reputation Management – Unfortunately, cases don’t always end in the courtroom. Your attorney can give you guidance on how to handle interactions with the public.
- Negotiating Skills – Most criminal cases end in a plea bargain. Your attorney can help you negotiate a favorable one.
- Defense Before a Jury – If your case reaches trial, your lawyer will present your case before a jury to show reasonable doubt. And if it comes to sentencing, they will advocate for leniency.
Find a lawyer that treats you like a person, not a case number. Combs Waterkotte’s Dearborn, MO, fraud lawyers will do just that.
Credit Card Fraud
Dearborn, 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.
In Dearborn, MO, you can also face credit card fraud allegations under § 570.135 RSMo. This has less to do with how a credit card is used, and more with how it was obtained in the first place. Lying to get a fraudulent card (or possessing one that you know was obtained fraudulently) is illegal under this statute, and is made 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
Bank fraud is closely related to credit card fraud, as they each relate to alleged fraud being committed against financial institutions.
This type of fraud is primarily covered by § 570.148 RSMo. This makes it a crime to lie to a bank (or other financial institution) to withdraw money that doesn’t belong to you. If the amount taken was less than $500, it is a class B misdemeanor. If it’s more than that, convictions can range from a class E felony to a class B felony, depending on the alleged offender’s mindset.
Identity Theft
Identity theft is often charged alongside other fraud crimes. For instance, using another person’s information to apply for a credit card would count as both credit card fraud and identity theft.
In Missouri, § 570.223 RSMo defines identity theft as intentionally taking or using someone else’s identifying information in order to commit another act of fraud. Normally, this means taking money, goods, or services illegally. Committing identity theft at all is a class B misdemeanor, but this can be elevated up to a class B felony depending on how much was taken.
Wire Fraud
Wire fraud may sound like a complicated crime, but it isn’t always. The federal government defines wire fraud as the use of wire (including the internet), radio, or television to send false messages, intending to take someone’s money.
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 cases can be complex due to the layers of financial records, communications, and relevant laws. Sometimes, these cases can be very clear, such as creating false financial data. Other times, it can be tougher to accurately classify, such as a person making allegedly misleading statements that influence investor behavior.
Breaking these laws can not only result in a prison sentence, but also in serious professional sanctions. 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.
More Common Fraud Charges in Dearborn, MO, That We Can Help Fight
Combs Waterkotte is prepared to build your defense in Dearborn, MO, whatever you’ve been accused of. Here are some more common charges we can help you with:
- Welfare Fraud
- Medicare/Medicaid Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Immigration Fraud
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What to Do If You’ve Been Accused of Fraud
You probably guessed that it’s important to contact an attorney if you’re accused of fraud, but that’s not the only thing you should do. Set yourself up for success by properly handling interviews and laying the groundwork for your defense strategy:
- Plead the Fifth – You have the right to remain silent, and should use it during any police interviews.
- Contact Your Dearborn, MO, Attorney – The sooner you bring in your lawyer, the more time they’ll have to develop a strong legal defense.
- Request Release From Jail – You’ll likely be given an opportunity to post bail. This is almost always a good idea, as it secures your freedom while your case progresses.
- Gather Evidence WITHOUT Tampering – 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 – It’s your lawyer’s job to present the best defense possible for your case, and build a strategy based on your story.
There are no guaranteed outcomes in criminal court. But taking some practical steps sets your case up for the right law firm to guide you the rest of the way.
Set Your Case Up for a Positive Outcome: Contact Combs Waterkotte
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.
When you work with us, you can look forward to the following:
- We have a reputation for excellence.
- We take the time to listen to you.
- We offer flexible payment plans.
- We have representatives ready for your call during evenings and weekends, because arrests can happen outside of regular business hours.
We’re prepared to take on everyone from the local prosecutor to the United States government – contact us now to get the legal help you need.
5 Defenses We May Use in Your Fraud Case
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 Dearborn, MO, will take the time to pick the right one for you.
Below are five common strategies that are effective in fraud cases:
- Lack of Intent/Good Faith – Fraud charges in Missouri normally require intent to be found guilty. If you had no ill intentions, we can use this as a defense.
- 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.
- Lack of Victim Reliance – Fraud convictions require the alleged victim to have been significantly influenced by your statements. If they made their decision for entirely other reasons, the law does not consider it to be fraud.
- Lack of Evidence It’s on the prosecution to prove the case against you. If they don’t have strong enough evidence, we will argue that they failed to provide proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
- Non-Participant – Somtimes, larger fraud conspiracies can appear to involve people who aren’t participating in the scheme. If you were swept up unintentionally, we can use this to build a defensive narrative.
Get Dearborn, MO’s Leading Fraud Lawyer on Your Side
This isn’t a time to settle for “good enough.” WIth your future and freedom on the line, you need an expert Dearborn, MO, fraud defense attorney. You need someone who will listen to you. You need Combs Waterkotte.
Get in touch with a fraud lawyer in Dearborn, MO, at any time at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online to set up a private conversation with an attorney.
