Fraud Lawyer in Lone Jack, MO. Fraud isn’t a single criminal charge. It’s a category of alleged offenses that vary in scope, but are always complex. Fighting these charges effectively is a tall order, and to protect your rights, you’ll need an experienced Lone Jack, MO, criminal defense lawyer to get help.
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.
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Lone Jack, MO, Fraud Lawyer: Page Summary
Below, you will learn 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 Lone Jack, 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
- Where to get started with your Lone Jack, MO, fraud defense 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 …
How Are Fraud Crimes Defined?
If you’re accused of fraud, the state is alleging that you used lies to trick someone into giving you something of value. This is typically a type of white-collar crime, but it doesn’t always occur in an office setting. This type of dispute can arise from professional or personal relationships.
The three main elements that make a crime “fraud” are:
- An intentional act of deception
- The intentions behind the lie were to gain something
- This benefit directly hurts another person
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.
It is not fraud if you were mistaken about something and unintentionally deceived someone as a result. 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.
What Your Lone Jack, MO, Fraud Lawyer Can Do to Protect You
Having a fraud lawyer to defend you is essential when navigating the Lone Jack, MO, court system. Don’t wait until charges are filed; while you wait, the prosecution is building the case against you.
You can expect this from your criminal defense attorney:
- Breakdown of the Laws – Fraud cases in Lone Jack, 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.
- Advice During Questioning – 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.
- 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.
- Connections Within the State – Many cases’ success depends on relationships with local prosecutors. This can help secure favorable plea deals that protect your life.
- Court Representation – There aren’t any guarantees at trial, and many people find that stressful. With a fraud lawyer, though, you’re putting yourself in the best position for a positive outcome and getting protection if the verdict isn’t what you were hoping for.
Combs Waterkotte is ready to take your case in Lone Jack, MO. Whatever fraud charge you’re facing, we have the experience and strength to defend you.
Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud isn’t a single crime in Lone Jack, 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.
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.
It’s possible for a bank fraud case to involve both of the above statutes. It’s important to work with a lawyer who can dissect both and create a comprehensive defense.
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.
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 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. As a hypothetical, writing a check for another person’s bank account, forging their signature, and using their ID in the process could result in charges of bank fraud, forgery, 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.
Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud cases can look very different from each other. In some cases, it can be supposedly pretending to be an insurance agent and selling fake insurance. In others, it could look like setting up a car crash to look like an accident, and receive a payout.
§ 375.991 RSMo covers all sorts of insurance fraud in Missouri, including auto, health, life, property, and more. 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 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.
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 described in § 575.120 RSMo, false impersonation is when a person pretends to have official authority (like a government job) and uses that authority to either perform an action or convince others to take actions. It can also be a person lying to the police about who they are after being put 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.
Other Fraud Charges Our Lawyers Defend in Lone Jack, MO
There’s no fraud charge too big for the Lone Jack, 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 Handle Fraud Accusations in Lone Jack, 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 Talk to Investigators – All you have to do is say “I am invoking my right to remain silent and would like to speak with my lawyer.”
- Get Professional Help – The sooner you bring in your lawyer, the more time they’ll have to develop a strong legal defense.
- Ask for Conditional Release – Posting bail does more than give you a more comfortable place to wait for your trial: It lets you be an active participant in building your defense.
- Gather Evidence WITHOUT Tampering – Evidence, such as documents, texts, photos, and data, can be crucial in building a strong defense.
- Plan a Trial-Ready Defense – It’s your lawyer’s job to present the best defense possible for your case, and build a strategy based on your story.
When you’re first accused, it’s easy to feel lost. 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.
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 Lone Jack, MO, court system.
Don’t settle for second best. Here’s more of what sets us apart:
- We are well regarded by former clients.
- We are focused on you as a person, not just your case.
- We offer flexible payment plans.
- We make it easy to get a hold of us if you have a question or need an update on your case.
If you’re facing charges, we’re ready to help – send us a note now to start your defense right away.
5 Possible Fraud Charge Defenses
Picking a defense for your fraud case isn’t as simple as selecting an option from a list. Your Lone Jack, 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:
- 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 – An immaterial false statement is generally not enough for a fraud conviction. If you lied about something inconsequential, it may not be enough to count as fraud.
- Victim Didn’t Rely on Your Statements – Fraud convictions require the alleged victim to have been significantly influenced by your statements. If they made their decision for entirely other reasons, you did not defraud them.
- Entraptment – if an undercover officer went too far in encouraging you to commit fraud, we can claim entrapment and build a defense around it.
- Wrong Person Accused – Perhaps another person was impersonating you while committing the fraud, and the state is accusing the wrong person.
Get Lone Jack, MO’s Leading Fraud Lawyer on Your Side
Combs Waterkotte offers high-quality defenses for Lone Jack, MO, citizens facing criminal charges, from traffic tickets to felonies. When you call us, you’ll get direct attention from an experienced attorney.
Get in touch with a fraud lawyer in Lone Jack, MO, now at (314) 900-HELP or send us a message online to set up a private conversation with an attorney.
