Fraud Attorney in Washington, D.C. & Alexandria, VA
Defending Clients Against Legal Accusations
A fraud charge in Alexandria, VA or Washington, D.C. has long-lasting effects on your life. Beyond the criminal and financial ramifications, having a fraud charge on your record can cause others to perceive you as dishonest, even if the fraud charge originated from a simple misunderstanding or a non-criminal breach of contract. A person charged with fraud may also face civil lawsuits because of the same incident.
Hiring an aggressive fraud attorney with courtroom experience is essential to protect your future. The attorneys at S.L. England, PLLC, have the courtroom experience in District, Circuit, and Federal Courts to present the strongest case for you, whether you are facing criminal fraud charges or a civil lawsuit.
Criminal Fraud in Alexandria, VA
Fraud is a broad crime. Alexandria, VA has ten different classifications under its fraud statute. These include:
- Forgery
- Impersonation
- False Pretenses
- Bad Check
- False Representations to Obtain Property or Credit
- Electronic Communications Devices
- False Representations to Obtain Property or Credit
- Credit Cards
- Miscellaneous False and Fraudulent Acts
- Sales
- Money Laundering
- Cigarettes
Regardless of the type of fraud, Alexandria, VA law is very specific about what constitutes actionable fraud rather than dishonesty. Fraud requires the defendant to make a false representation intentionally and knowingly with the intent to mislead the other party, and the other party must suffer damages.
Criminal Fraud in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. law has three levels of criminal fraud. These are:
- False Promise as to Future Performance: The defendant makes a promise that he has no intention of performing.
- Fraud in the Second Degree: The defendant participates in a scheme or conducts himself systematically with the intent to defraud another person, or with the intent of obtaining another person’s property under false pretenses.
- Fraud in the First Degree: The defendant participates in a scheme or conducts himself systematically with the intent to defraud another person, or with the intent of obtaining another person’s property under false pretenses. The defendant obtains the other person’s property or causes the other person to lose their property.
If convicted, the defendant faces jail time and fines, but the victim may also seek relief by filing a civil lawsuit, even if the defendant has not been charged with a crime.
Fraud Penalties
The criminal penalties for fraud depend on the nature of the specific crime. Some fraud crimes are misdemeanors while others are felonies. Class 1 misdemeanors, such as Impersonating a Law Enforcement Officer, are punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine. Class 4 felonies, such as Obtaining Money or Signature by False Pretenses, are punishable by two to ten years in prison and fines up to $100,000. Money laundering carries a penalty of up to 40 years in prison and fines up to $500,000.
Fraud cases that extend beyond Alexandria, VA’s or Washington, D.C.’s borders, or that involve a federally insured bank, or a federal agency are charged and prosecuted in Federal Court.
Do You Need a Fraud Attorney?
If you are facing criminal fraud charges, or if you have been served with a civil fraud lawsuit, you need an aggressive attorney to fight for you. Criminal fraud charges can carry long prison sentences and hefty fines, depending on the specific charge, and this can affect your family’s future. A judgment against you in a civil lawsuit can devastate your finances.
If you have been charged with a fraud crime or if you have been served with civil papers, call us today at (202) 759-2333 or contact us online.