Maryland Federal Fraud Lawyer

Federal criminal charges are serious and may require a zealous defense from the beginning. Depending on the details of your charges, a conviction could mean prolonged periods of imprisonment and excessive fines, in addition to sanctions such as the suspension of voting rights, certain licenses, travel limitations, and other collateral consequences. It could be crucial to work with a seasoned Maryland federal fraud lawyer who could develop effective defense strategies based on the facts of your case.

Federal Fraud Punishments

The punishments levied for a federal fraud offense depend on the type of crime involved. The punishments for fraud may also be enhanced by the amount of the financial loss, the methods utilized to engage in the alleged offense, and the individuals or entities against whom the crime was purportedly committed.

A person convicted of bankruptcy fraud would face a maximum jail term of five years, while the prison sentence for a securities fraud conviction could be as high as 25 years. Fines may also be assessed according to the value of the alleged fraud. A bank fraud conviction could incur a maximum sentence of 30 years and/or a fine up to $1,000,000. Identify theft, another common fraud offense, is punishable by up to $500,000 in fines and a maximum jail term of 15 years.

Conviction for mail or wire fraud would result in incarceration for no more than 20 years. The individual could also be required to pay restitution to the alleged victim, in addition to fines no greater than $250,000. Depending on the nature of the fraud offense, the court could sentence the accused to probation either in lieu of or in addition to the punishments previously mentioned. Consult with a lawyer in the area to learn more about the legal punishments which may accompany a particular federal fraud charge.

Types of Fraud Crimes

Federal law recognizes a wide array of fraud crimes involving acts perpetrated against individuals, companies, organizations, and government entities. The following are among the most commonly charged types of fraud crimes:

• Citizenship fraud — Intentionally and deceptively claiming to be a citizen of the United States.
• Wire fraud — Deliberately sending fraudulent correspondence to individuals in other states via a computer, mobile device, or other electronic means for the purposes of gaining some financial benefit.
• Credit card fraud — Using someone else’s credit or debit card/account without their permission to secure items or services.
• Insurance fraud — Purposefully submitting false information with the intention of achieving some type of gain that the person would not otherwise qualify to receive.
• Securities fraud — Compelling investors to acquire or sell securities based on deceptive information.
• Computer fraud — Knowingly using a computer without permission or outside of the person’s permitted privileges to acquire privileged information from the government or a financial entity.
• Mail fraud —Intentionally using a mail service to defraud someone of goods or services.

When an individual is charged with any of the federal fraud crimes mentioned above or related offenses, their first call should be to a qualified local attorney. A conviction for any of these offenses could bring serious and weighty punishments. Furthermore, the stigma attached to a federal criminal conviction could follow the individual for the remainder of their life.

With the dedicated representation of an aggressive legal advocate, the accused party may be able to seek a positive resolution of their charges. Where it best serves the individual’s interests, a legal professional could counsel a defendant on the choice to accept a plea bargain.

Get Help from a Maryland Federal Fraud Attorney

A Maryland federal fraud lawyer could provide vigilant representation at all stages of your case. A skilled attorney could help you protect your rights during federal proceedings and interact with investigators on your behalf.

If you are facing federal fraud charges, call today to schedule a consultation and discuss the next steps of your case.