Washington DC Mail and Wire Fraud Lawyer

Fraud is an act of deception. Some types of fraud are crimes under the local rules of the District of Columbia, while others may violate federal law. The offense is usually a white-collar crime. It could be stressful leaping through the judicial hoops required by law to defend oneself from pending legal charges.

Whether dealing with the local or federal judicial system, it may be necessary to consult with an attorney who may be able to explain the different applicable laws to you and how they may affect you.

Mail and wire fraud charges could lead to damaging penalties. A finding of guilt may strongly affect a person’s reputation and future plans. It is important not to ignore any potential accusations, and to take an immediate stance against any threat to your freedom or reputation. A Washington DC mail and wire fraud lawyer could aid you in building a solid plan of defense. Reach out to a skilled attorney to learn more.

Fraud Laws in the District of Columbia

The Code of the District of Columbia states in Section 22-3222 the penalties for fraud. The government punishes first-degree fraud, which means the item fraudulent obtained was worth $1,000 or more, with up to 10 years in prison and a fine of double the value of the property or a statutory fine, whichever is greater. If the property is worth less than $1,000, the punishment is less. This could include no more than 180 days in jail.

Second-degree fraud is any attempt or scheme to fraudulently obtain property. If the property was worth $1,000 or more, the court could punish the actor with up to3 years in prison and fine of double the value of the property or a statutory fine, whichever is greater. If the property is worth less than $1,000, the punishment may not be more than 180 days in jails, and additional fines.

If the plan of deception involved some federal service, such as the postal system, internet, telephone or wire transfer service, then the fraud is a federal issue. Mail and wire fraud defendants are advised to speak with a seasoned Washington DC attorney to learn which penalties they face.

Mail Fraud

If a fraudulent act involves the use of sending or delivering items by the US Postal Service, that act falls under the federal statute Section 1341. The federal court could punish any violation with no more than 20 years in prison and a fine. The fraud may involve schemes, misrepresentations, or false promises to obtain property or money.

Wire Fraud

Section 1343 of the US Code discusses fraud using wire transmission. Any attempt to trick someone with lies, misrepresentations or false promises to send money or property by wire transmission is a violation. The federal court could punish defendants by no more than 20 years in prison and a fine. Given the harsh nature of such crimes, individuals are recommended to call a defense attorney immediately to begin building their defense.

Mail and Wire Fraud

While the punishment for mail and wire fraud might be heavy, the court will decide the actual punishment based on many factors. This could include:

• The value of the property or money at issue
• The amount of people involved in the fraud
• The damage that was done by the fraud

A knowledgeable Washington DC attorney may be able to fight for the least burdensome ruling and may even be able to help you build a defense against any mail and wire fraud charges, based on the specific circumstances.

Work with a Washington DC Mail and Wire Fraud Attorney

No matter what the police may attempt to accuse you of, it is important to take those charges seriously and not delay in dealing with them. If any charges are federal, the consequences could be even worse. An attorney may be able to help you ensure the best possible outcome considering your situation.

There are time limits and deadlines in various legal matters. Time may be of the essence. Considering reaching out to a Washington DC mail and wire fraud lawyer to see if they can help you build up a plan of defense and properly answer any government inquiries against you. Call today.