Birmingham Fraud Lawyer

From a legal perspective, the word fraud encompasses a wide range of illegal acts involving the deception of an individual or organization for financial gain. In most fraud cases, the defendant is accused of using false information or misrepresenting themselves in order to mislead another person.

Fraud is a serious offense, and if you or someone you know is currently facing fraud charges, it is vital that you seek the legal aid of a Birmingham fraud lawyer. With an experienced criminal attorney on your side, you may have a better chance of getting your charges dismissed or reduced.

Proving Fraud in Court

Fraud is almost always punishable by imprisonment or fines, and if a prosecutor wants to prove another person is guilty of fraud, they will need to prove the defendant knowingly misled another person for personal gain. To do this, the prosecutor will need to establish the following:

• The defendant misrepresented themselves or material fact to some degree
• The defendant knowingly misrepresented themselves or the material fact
• The alleged victim made a choice based on the misrepresentation
• Injury or loss resulted from the choice

In Michigan, all four of the conditions above must be proved in order to convict a person of fraud. There are two types of fraud charges – civil and criminal, and a criminal conviction can result in harsher penalties for the defendant. A Birmingham fraud lawyer can defend the accused against the penalties that they face.

Common Types of Fraud

There are various types of fraud, and some types are more serious than others. Individuals may need help from a Birmingham fraud lawyer if they are charged with:

• Tax Evasion: Providing the IRS with false or misleading information in an effort to avoid paying taxes
• Securities Fraud: Securities fraud involves using false or misleading information to convince others to invest in a company
• Bankruptcy Fraud: Filing for bankruptcy under false pretenses

Insurance and Identity Fraud Cases

Insurance fraud usually involves submitting false claims in an attempt to receive money from insurance companies. If someone damages their own property and submits a claim to an insurance company, they can be charged with fraud.

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America, identity theft involves using the financial information of another person without their permission. This offense includes using the credit cards of another person, applying for loans with the information of another person, and attempting to open a bank account or withdraw money without the permission of the owner are all forms of identity theft.

Security Issues

Some types of fraud, such as securities fraud and tax evasion are federal crimes and have much harsher penalties than other types. It is possible for individuals to unknowingly commit fraud, but it can be immensely difficult for a person to prove this on their own. If another person provides an individual with false information, and they attempt to file a tax return or insurance claim with it, they will still be charged with fraud.

Speaking with an Attorney

If you have been charged with any type of fraud, it is important to contact an experienced Birmingham fraud lawyer at your earliest convenience. This is especially true if you have been charged with a federal crime or felony. A skilled criminal defense attorney can build your case, and in the event of a conviction, they can work to mitigate the penalties that you face.

---