Fraud Lawyer in Waldo, 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 yourself against them, you need to call an accomplished Waldo, MO, criminal defense lawyer.
Combs Waterkotte takes our clients’ freedom seriously and will fight to protect you against fraud accusations in Waldo, 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.
Don’t wait until the prosecution has already built a case against you. When you feel alone against the system, we’re here to help.
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Today, we will go over:
- What sets fraud charges apart from other criminal accusations
- How a fraud lawyer can help when you’re accused;
- Common fraud charges in Waldo, MO;
- What to do if someone accuses you of fraud;
- Why your Waldo, MO, fraud lawyer should be someone from Combs Waterkotte;
- Different fraud charge defense strategies that you should discuss with your lawyer; and
- Where to get started with your Waldo, MO, fraud defense today.
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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 …
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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 …
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.
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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 Waldo, 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.
A crime accusation is considered “fraud” if it fits the following criteria:
- An action taken to deceive another person
- In some way, the supposed offender gains an advantage from the deception
- On the other end of the alleged fraud, someone is left with a loss
One example is a charity fraud. In this, a person reaches out pretending to represent a charitable organization, but instead keeps the money for themselves.
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 vacation fraud is an interesting example: A common example of this fraud would be a person booking a premium vacation package, but finding an inferior room once they arrive. If the proper accommodations were never there to begin with, that would be fraud. But if a plumbing problem damaged the original room and rendered it inoperable, that would not count as fraud.
What Your Waldo, MO, Fraud Lawyer Can Do to Protect You
Having a fraud lawyer to defend you is essential when navigating the Waldo, MO, court system. Don’t wait until charges are filed; while you wait, the prosecution is building the case against you.
An expert can help you with the below:
- Breakdown of the Laws – Some laws are easy to understand, but not all of them. A fraud lawyer in Waldo, MO, can help you understand the ins and outs of the case against you.
- Guidance Through Interviews – Get help beyond just pleading the fifth; your lawyer can help you understand when it’s a good idea to talk to the police and when it’s best to stay silent.
- 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.
- Reputation Management – Even when the legal issues are under control, your reputation might need some help. A fraud lawyer can help you handle interactions with the press and give you advice on how to move forward with your life.
- Negotiating Skills – Most criminal cases end in a plea bargain. Your attorney can help you negotiate a favorable one.
- Representation at Trial – Not every case reaches trial, but if yours does, your attorney will argue against the prosecution and for your innocence.
Find a lawyer that treats you like a person, not a case number. Combs Waterkotte’s Waldo, MO, fraud lawyers will do just that.
Credit Card Fraud
Credit card fraud isn’t a single crime in Waldo, 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 Waldo, 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 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.
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 another alleged crime that can be charged on its own, but is frequently done alongside another alleged violation. For instance, identity theft can be tied to immigration fraud in cases where one person allegedly stole someone’s passport and impersonated that person in order to enter the country.
The key identity theft statute in Waldo, 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 covers a wide range of deceptive practices. In some cases, it can mean a doctor billing insurance for procedures that were never performed. In others, it could look like 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 defining insurance fraud and setting penalties, this statute also sets rules for how the state can investigate these charges.
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.
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.
False Impersonation
False impersonation is technically different from fraud offenses, 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. This is a class B misdemeanor, or a class A misdemeanor if they impersonated a police officer.
More Common Fraud Charges in Waldo, MO, That We Can Help Fight
Your fraud lawyer from Combs Waterkotte will fight against the full range of fraud charges in Waldo, MO. Here are some more common charges we can help you with:
- Welfare Fraud
- Medicare/Medicaid Fraud
- Mortgage Fraud
- Immigration Fraud
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Facing Fraud Charges? Follow These Guidelines
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 – All you have to do is say “I am invoking my right to remain silent and would like to speak with my lawyer.”
- Contact Your Waldo, MO, Attorney – A professional lawyer can help you understand the situation and the best paths forward. Call fast, before the situation gets worse.
- Secure Bail – 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.
- Look for Exculpatory 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.
- 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.
If you’ve just been charged with fraud, you probably don’t know where to go. 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: Waldo, MO’s Leading Fraud Lawyers
Our team of Waldo, 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 over 500 five-star reviews.
- We take the time to listen to you.
- We make quality defense affordable.
- We’re available 24/7 if you need anything related to your case.
We’re prepared to take on everyone from the local prosecutor to the United States government – send us a note now to connect with an attorney.
5 Defenses We May Use in Your Fraud Case
The defensive strategy your Waldo, MO, fraud attorney uses can make all the difference in your case’s outcome. We don’t take strategy lightly – we collaborate with you to find the best option.
Below are five common strategies that are effective in fraud cases:
- Lack of Knowledge – This is applicable in cases where the alleged offender provided false information to someone without knowing it was false at the time.
- Immaterial (Non-Fraudulent) False Statement – For a deception to count as fraud, it must have been significant enough to influence someone’s decision. Sometimes, a white lie isn’t enough for a conviction.
- Victim Didn’t Rely on Your Statements – To be fraud, your statement must have impacted the alleged victim’s decision. If they made their decision for entirely other reasons, you did not defraud them.
- Evidentiary Issues – If the state violated your rights or chain of custody while gathering evidence, we can fight to have it suppressed.
- 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.
You Need an Experienced Team. 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 Waldo, 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 Waldo, MO, right away at (314) 900-HELP or send us a message online to set up a private conversation with an attorney.
