Fraud Lawyer in Garden City, 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 your rights, it’s critical to reach out to an expert Garden City, MO, criminal defense lawyer right away.
Combs Waterkotte takes our clients’ freedom seriously and will fight to protect you against fraud accusations in Garden City, MO. If you’re facing criminal charges for bank fraud, wire fraud, or another type of fraud, call us right away at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free consultation.
While you’re waiting, the the state is working on their case. Call now to protect your freedom.
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On This Page
On this page, we will go over:
- What sets fraud charges apart from other criminal accusations
- Things that your Garden City, MO, fraud lawyer will do to set your case up for success;
- Example offenses that are often labelled as ‘fraud’ in Garden City, MO;
- Steps to take if you’re facing fraud accusations;
- How Combs Waterkotte sets itself apart in fraud cases;
- Examples of fraud charge defense strategies; and
- How to get help now fighting your fraud charge.
Legal Videos
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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 Garden City, 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.
“Fraud” crimes have the following three things in common:
- An intentional act of deception
- The act benefits the alleged offender
- The alleged victim experiences some sort of loss
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. As an example, if you sold your house and did not tell the buyer about a leak in the roof, but you weren’t aware of it yourself, you would not be guilty of fraud.
Professional Help That a Fraud Lawyer Can Provide in Garden City, MO
Having a fraud lawyer to defend you is essential when navigating the Garden City, MO, court system. If you have any reason to suspect you’re being investigated for fraud, reach out to your attorney immediately.
An expert can help you with the below:
- Explanations of Statutes – Fraud cases in Garden City, 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 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.
- Guidance for Your Reputation – Unfortunately, cases don’t always end in the courtroom. Your attorney can give you guidance on how to handle interactions with the public.
- Relationships in Court – Negotiation is a key part of criminal defense. You need a lawyer who knows how to work with the district attorney.
- Court Representation – Not every case reaches trial, but if yours does, your attorney will argue against the prosecution and for your innocence.
Combs Waterkotte is ready to take your case in Garden City, MO. Whatever fraud charge you’re facing, we have the experience and strength to defend you.
Credit Card Fraud
Garden City, 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 Garden City, 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 can be closely related to credit card fraud, and in some cases is even covered by the same statues (for example, if there was a debit card involved). However, bank fraud is also covered by its own broad statute.
The main bank fraud statute in Missouri is § 570.148 RSMo. This law makes it a crime to try to trick a bank into giving you money that you’re not supposed to. Depending on the amount and other circumstances, a conviction can be anything from a class B misdemeanor to a class B felony.
Identity Theft
Identity theft is often charged alongside other fraud crimes. As a hypothetical, using another person’s information to apply for a credit card would count as both credit card fraud and identity theft.
The key identity theft statute in Garden City, 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.
Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud cases can look very different from each other. In some cases, it can be a doctor billing insurance for procedures that were never performed. In others, it could mean setting up a car crash to look like an accident, and receive a payout.
Missouri’s state statute § 375.991 RSMo is a comprehensive law on insurance fraud, naming several deceptive practices that are outlawed. In addition to prison sentences of up to seven years, the court is required to sentence someone to make restitution payments if they are convicted of breaking this law.
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.
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 described 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 Garden City, MO, That We Can Help Fight
Your fraud lawyer from Combs Waterkotte will fight against the full range of fraud charges in Garden City, MO. For example, we can help you fight any of the following:
- Welfare Fraud
- Medicare/Medicaid Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Immigration Fraud
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What to Do If You’ve Been Accused of Fraud
As soon as you’re accused of fraud, it’s important to take proper steps to protect yourself. We recommend the following:
- Don’t Answer Police Questions – All you have to do is say “I am invoking my right to remain silent and would like to speak with my lawyer.”
- Call Your Garden City, MO, Fraud Lawyer – The sooner you bring in your lawyer, the more time they’ll have to develop a strong legal defense.
- Secure Bail – 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.
- Tell Your Attorney Your Side of the Story – No two cases are the same, and your lawyer should listen to you and create a defense that’s tailored to your situation.
It’s impossible to perfectly predict the outcome of a case. But Combs Waterkotte is prepared to fight for your rights, from the first day you call until the final verdict. We won’t give up until you get the justice you deserve.
Combs Waterkotte: Expert Fraud Defense in Garden City, MO
At Combs Waterkotte, we believe that a proper defense starts with the person at the center of it: You. We’ve helped over thousands of clients make it through the most difficult time in their lives, and bring a client centered approach to every case.
When you work with us, you can look forward to the following:
- We have a reputation for excellence.
- We are focused on you as a person, not just your case.
- 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 – contact us now to connect with an attorney.
5 Defenses We May Use in Your Fraud Case
Picking a defense for your fraud case isn’t as simple as selecting an option from a list. Your Garden City, MO, fraud lawyer will take the time to listen to your story and develop a defense based around it.
Here are five possible strategies we may draw from:
- No Intent to Defraud – Perhaps you made a false statement, but believed it to be true 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, your statements did not reach the level of fraud.
- False Accusations – If a business deal was legitimate, but didn’t work out, a partner with hard feelings could make a false accusation of fraud. We can build cases designed to cast doubt on the supposed victim’s motives.
- Non-Participant – 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 Garden City, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Now
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.
Start building your defense with a fraud lawyer in Garden City, MO, at any time at (314) 900-HELP or connect with us online to request a confidential, no-strings case review.
