Fraud Lawyer in Orrick, MO. Fraud isn’t a single criminal charge. It’s a category of alleged offenses that vary in scope, but are always complex. You can’t take these charges lightly, and to protect your rights, it’s critical to reach out to an adept Orrick, MO, criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
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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Below, you will learn about:
- What types of crime accusations count as fraud
- Things that your Orrick, MO, fraud lawyer will do to set your case up for success;
- Example offenses that are often labelled as ‘fraud’ in Orrick, MO;
- Your next steps after being accused of fraud;
- Why your Orrick, MO, fraud lawyer should be someone from Combs Waterkotte;
- Examples of fraud charge defense strategies; and
- How to contact our Orrick, MO, fraud attorneys today.
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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 Sets Fraud Charges Apart From Other Accusations in Orrick, 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.
The three main elements that make a crime “fraud” are:
- An action taken to deceive another person
- The act benefits the alleged offender
- This benefit directly hurts another person
A common example of fraud is an imposter scam. This could take the form of calling another person, pretending to be a relative in need of financial help.
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.
Professional Help That a Fraud Lawyer Can Provide in Orrick, MO
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:
- Explanations of Statutes – Some laws are easy to understand, but not all of them. A fraud lawyer in Orrick, MO, can help you understand the ins and outs of the case against you.
- Help During Interrogations – 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.
- Connections Within the State – Many cases’ success depends on relationships with local prosecutors. This can help secure favorable plea deals that protect your life.
- Representation at Trial – 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 Orrick, MO, fraud lawyers will do just that.
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.
In Orrick, 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, 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 another alleged crime that can be charged on its own, but is frequently done alongside another alleged violation. As a hypothetical, 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.
Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud covers a wide range of deceptive practices. In some cases, it can be allegedly lying on an insurance application. In others, it could mean allegedly making a false medical claim to receive benefits you weren’t entitled to.
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 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.
18 U.S.C. § 1343 is the federal statute covering wire fraud. Penalties for a conviction go up to 20 years in prison, or 30 years if a financial institution or federal disaster relief funds were involved. The end sentence is usually determined using §2B1.1 sentencing guidelines.
False Impersonation
False impersonation is covered under its own statute, but is often charged alongside fraud charges.
As outlined 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.
More Common Fraud Charges in Orrick, MO, That We Can Help Fight
There’s no fraud charge too big for the Orrick, MO, criminal defense lawyers at Combs Waterkotte. Here are some more common charges we can help you with:
- Welfare Fraud
- Medicare/Medicaid Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Immigration Fraud
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How to Handle Fraud Accusations in Orrick, MO
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:
- Don’t Answer Police Questions – When you plead the fifth, be respectful but firm, then ask to see a lawyer.
- 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.
- Request Release From Jail – 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.
- 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.
- Build a Defense Plan With Your Attorney – 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 a team of expert fraud defense lawyers can make a major difference in optimizing your outcome. Combs Waterkotte can offer you that.
Set Your Case Up for a Positive Outcome: Contact Combs Waterkotte
Our team of Orrick, MO, fraud defense attorneys know how to fight cases in Missouri court. We want to give you a quality defense, built on over 100 years of cumulative courtroom experience.
Here are more reasons to choose us for your fraud lawyer:
- We have a stellar reputation with former clients.
- We treat every client with individualized care.
- We are always honest when evaluating your case.
- We make it easy to get a hold of us if you have a question or need an update on your case.
We help good people in bad situations – send us a note 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 Orrick, MO, fraud lawyer will take the time to listen to your story and develop a defense based around it.
Your fraud defense might look like one of these:
- Lack of Intent/Good Faith – Perhaps you made a false statement, but believed it to be true at the time.
- Immaterial (Non-Fraudulent) False Statement – 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.
- Lack of Victim Reliance – To be fraud, your statement must have impacted the alleged victim’s decision. If the statements did not actually influence the alleged victim’s decision, 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.
- Lack of Participation – 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.
Don’t Wait. Get Help From an Expert Fraud Lawyer in Orrick, MO Today
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.
Talk to a fraud lawyer in Orrick, MO, today at (314) 900-HELP or contact our firm online to set up a free, confidential consultation.
