Fraud Lawyer in Weston, 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 yourself against them, you need to call an expert Weston, MO, criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
When you feel outmatched against the prosecution, there’s one law firm prepared to stand by your side: Combs Waterkotte. Our fraud defense lawyers are dedicated to fighting for our clients’ rights and want to help you find the best outcome for your unique situation. You can get assistance at any time by calling (314) 900-HELP or using our online contact form.
While you’re waiting, the the state is working on their case. When you isolated against the state, we’re here to help.
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Page Overview
Here, you will learn about:
- What makes a crime a ‘fraud crime;’
- How a fraud lawyer can help when you’re accused;
- The types of charges that fall under the ‘fraud’ category in Weston, MO;
- Your next steps after being accused of fraud;
- Why your Weston, MO, fraud lawyer should be someone from Combs Waterkotte;
- 5 strong defenses that our lawyers use in fraud cases; and
- How to get help now fighting your fraud charge.
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?
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.
The three main elements that make a crime “fraud” are:
- The act of lying committed with intention
- The act benefits the alleged offender
- The alleged victim experiences some sort of 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.
Intention plays a key role in fraud allegations. Without intent to defraud someone, an action is generally 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.
Professional Help That a Fraud Lawyer Can Provide in Weston, MO
Having a fraud lawyer to defend you is essential when navigating the Weston, MO, court system. If you learn that you’re charged with fraud or are under investigation, you should contact your defense attorney right away.
An expert can help you with the below:
- Breakdown of the Statutes – Some laws are easy to understand, but not all of them. A fraud lawyer in Weston, MO, can help you understand the ins and outs of the case against you.
- Help During Interrogations – It’s possible that you’ll find yourself wanted for questioning because of an alleged violation. Your lawyer can help you navigate police tactics and preserve your freedom.
- Investigative Expertise – A reputable law firm will work with an experienced investigator to find evidence that will support your case.
- Help Dealing With the Public – 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.
- Trial-Ready Defense – 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 Weston, MO. Whatever fraud charge you’re facing, we have the experience and strength to defend you.
Credit Card Fraud
Weston, 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.
But even if you didn’t misuse a credit card, you can still be accused of credit card fraud. This is covered under § 570.135 RSMo, which makes it a crime to apply for a credit card with false information or to use another person’s ID without authorization. This charge is also punished as a class A misdemeanor..
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 often charged alongside other fraud crimes. For instance, 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.
Identity theft, according to § 570.223 RSMo, can range anywhere from a class B misdemeanor to a class B felony, depending on the value involved and the individual’s prior history.
Tax Fraud
Sometimes, an honest mistake is enough to be accused of Tax fraud. Both the IRS and the Missouri Department of Revenue treat these charges harshly, and you could face years in prison and/or thousands of dollars in fines after a conviction.
Penalties can vary depending on what specific statute you’re accused of violating, and whether it’s charged at the state or federal level. Taking individual tax evasion as an example, a state charge can result in a 5 year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine, while a federal charge can result in a 5 year prison sentence and a $100,000 fine.
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 not in and of itself a fraud offense, but is often charged alongside fraud charges.
As described in § 575.120 RSMo, false impersonation is when a person allegedly either pretends to be a government official, pretends to hold a professional license, or lies about their identity to the police after being arrested. 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.
Additional Fraud Charges in Weston, MO
Your fraud lawyer from Combs Waterkotte will fight against the full range of fraud charges in Weston, 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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5 Steps to Take After Being Accused of Fraud in Weston, MO
As soon as you’re accused of fraud, it’s important to take proper steps to protect yourself. We recommend the following:
- Stay Silent in Interviews – You have the right to remain silent, and should use it during any police interviews.
- Get a Lawyer – The sooner you bring in your lawyer, the more time they’ll have to develop a strong legal defense.
- Request Release From Jail – Posting bail and securing pre-trial release gives you the flexibility to help build your defense.
- Look for Exculpatory Evidence – Evidence, such as documents, texts, photos, and data, can be crucial in building a strong defense.
- Plan a Trial-Ready Defense – Your defense attorney will listen to your story, discuss defense strategies, and work with you to create a strong case in your favor.
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.
Combs Waterkotte: Expert Fraud Defense in Weston, MO
We’ve helped clients avoid over 1 million days in jail, negotiated countless favorable plea deals, and successfully fought for “not guilty” verdicts at trial. We want to bring that tradition of success to your case.
We are dedicated to our clients, and take pride in offering comprehensive legal services to Weston:
- We are well regarded by former clients.
- We take the time to listen to you.
- We make quality defense affordable.
- We have representatives ready for your call during evenings and weekends, because arrests can happen outside of regular business hours.
We’re prepared to take on everyone from the local prosecutor to the United States government – reach out today to connect with an attorney.
Fraud Defenses to Discuss With Your Lawyer
We take the time to listen to your story, investigate and learn about your case, and then craft a defense based on what will work best for you. There are many overarching strategies to draw from, and a fraud lawyer in Weston, MO, will take the time to pick the right one for you.
Here are five possible strategies we may draw from:
- 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 – 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.
- Alleged Victim Wasn’t Influenced – To be fraud, your statement must have impacted the alleged victim’s decision. If your statement did not impact their choices, 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.
- Mistaken Identity – Perhaps another person was impersonating you while committing the fraud, and the state is accusing the wrong person.
Need a Fraud Lawyer in Weston, MO? Call Combs Waterkotte Today
Combs Waterkotte offers high-quality defenses for Weston, MO, citizens facing criminal charges, from traffic tickets to felonies. When you call us, you’ll get direct attention from an experienced attorney.
Speak with a fraud lawyer in Weston, MO, now at (314) 900-HELP or contact our firm online to set up a private conversation with an attorney.
