Fraud Lawyer in Stewartsville, MO. Fraud charges aren’t something you want to handle on your own. These laws are complex, and these cases can be very convoluted. These accusations need to be taken seriously, and to defend against them, you need to call an adept Stewartsville, 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.
You need to fight for your best outcome. When you feel alone against the system, we’re here to help.
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Today, you will learn about:
- What makes a crime a ‘fraud crime;’
- The difference that a fraud lawyer can make while going through the justice system;
- Example offenses that are often labelled as ‘fraud’ in Stewartsville, MO;
- Steps to take if you’re facing fraud accusations;
- How Combs Waterkotte sets itself apart in fraud cases;
- Different fraud charge defense strategies that you should discuss with your lawyer; and
- How to contact our Stewartsville, MO, fraud attorneys today.
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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 …
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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 …
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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.
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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 …
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What Crimes Count as Fraud in Stewartsville, MO?
Fraud refers to a collection of white-collar crimes where one person tricks another person into giving away their valuables. This is often money, but can be anything of substantial value.
A crime accusation is considered “fraud” if it fits the following criteria:
- A lie (by commission or omission) told on purpose
- The act is done in order 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 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 Stewartsville, MO
Having a fraud lawyer to defend you is essential when navigating the Stewartsville, MO, court system. 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:
- Breakdown of the Charges – Fraud cases in Stewartsville, 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.
- Guidance Through Interviews – On your own, a police interrogation can be intimidating. Working with a lawyer gives you professional protection.
- 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 – You could face judgment and non-legal consequences as a result of the charges against you. An attorney can give you advice on how to handle it.
- Negotiating Skills – Most criminal cases end in a plea bargain. Your attorney can help you negotiate a favorable one.
- Court Representation – 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 Stewartsville, 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
Credit card fraud isn’t a single crime in Stewartsville, 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.
Credit card fraud cases in Stewartsville, MO, can also involve § 570.135 RSMo, which is also a class A misdemeanor. This law has less to do with the literal unauthorized use of a credit card, and more to do with how a credit card was gotten. Lying on an application, using someone else’s ID without their permission, or carrying a credit card that was obtained in either of these ways is a violation of this statute.
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.
§ 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 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.
According to § 570.223 RSMo, identity theft hinges on intent. That specific statute covers attempts to obtain and/or use an identity that they are not supposed to, when they have intent to deceive or defraud. This intent can be used to create doubt, but this can be tricky to do in court. Talk with a lawyer about the best strategy for your particular case.
Insurance Fraud
Insurance fraud covers a wide range of deceptive practices. In some cases, it can mean supposedly pretending to be an insurance agent and selling fake insurance. In others, it could consist of allegedly making a false medical claim to receive benefits you weren’t entitled to.
§ 375.991 RSMo outlaws several fraudulent insurance acts, including ‘unbundling,’ ‘upcoding,’ ‘exploding,’ and ‘duplicating.’ Breaking this law is a class E felony on a first offense, and a class D felony for any subsequent offense.
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.
Phishing attacks are a simple form of wire fraud – in these, an individual reaches out over email or messages, impersonating someone else, and requests their personal information. These allegations are serious, even if no money was taken.
Other Fraud Charges Our Lawyers Defend in Stewartsville, MO
Combs Waterkotte is Missouri’s leading fraud defense law firm, and is prepared to take your case in Stewartsville, MO. Here are some more common charges we can help you with:
- Welfare Fraud
- Medicare/Medicaid Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Immigration Fraud
- Mail Fraud
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How to Handle Fraud Accusations in Stewartsville, MO
As soon as you’re accused of fraud, it’s important to take proper steps to protect yourself. We recommend the following:
- Plead the Fifth – You are not required to answer any police questions without your lawyer present. Politely decline and request to speak with your attorney.
- Call Your Stewartsville, MO, Fraud Lawyer – The first call after an arrest should be your defense attorney. They can help you manage interviews and will all of the following steps.
- 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 – Avoiding a not guilty verdict in a fraud case can come down to who has the strongest evidence. Gather any records you have, and avoid taking any actions that could look like tampering.
- 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.
It’s impossible to perfectly predict the outcome of a case. But if you follow these steps and work with a reputable law firm like Combs Waterkotte, you’ll maximize your chances of a positive outcome.
Combs Waterkotte: Stewartsville, MO’s Leading Fraud Lawyers
Our team of Stewartsville, 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.
Don’t settle for second best. Here’s more of what sets us apart:
- We have a stellar reputation with former clients.
- We treat every client with individualized care.
- We offer flexible payment plans.
- You can get a hold of our offices at any time, day or night.
We help good people in bad situations – contact us now to have a lawyer work on your case.
Fraud Defenses Your Lawyer Should Consider
Fraud accusations can be stressful, especially if you don’t have experience with the Stewartsville, MO, legal system. Your fraud lawyer can help you identify the best defense for your case.
Here are some examples that your lawyer might recommend:
- 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 – 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.
- Victim Didn’t Rely on Your Statements – Fraud convictions require the alleged victim to have been significantly influenced by your statements. If your statement did not impact their choices, your statements did not reach the level of fraud.
- Evidentiary Issues – If the state violated your rights or chain of custody while gathering evidence, we can fight to have it suppressed.
- 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.
Need a Fraud Lawyer in Stewartsville, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Today
This isn’t a time to settle for “good enough.” WIth your future and freedom on the line, you need an expert Stewartsville, MO, fraud defense attorney. You need someone who will listen to you. You need Combs Waterkotte.
Start building your defense with a fraud lawyer in Stewartsville, MO, today at (314) 900-HELP or tell us what you need online to request a confidential, no-strings case review.
