Fraud is one of the most common federal crimes in the U.S. Depending on the nature of the fraud, the number of victims and the extent of financial loss, a conviction can lead to severe legal and personal consequences.
Basically, fraud happens when one party willfully deceives another for their own (usually financial) gain. This can take multiple forms like forging someone else’s signature, writing a bad check to complete a transaction, using another person’s identity without consent or making a false insurance claim. If you are charged with fraud, it is important that you understand what you are up against.
While no two fraud charges are the same, here are possible defense strategies that you may consider when charged with this kind of crime.
Entrapment
It is not uncommon for an overzealous officer to present you with an incentive to commit fraud that you would otherwise not commit. This might constitute entrapment.
If you can prove that the police tricked or pressured you to commit the fraud in question, then you can claim this as an affirmative defense during your trial.
Mistaken identity
Thanks to the emergence of Internet banking and e-commerce, a significant number of fraudulent activities happen online. Sometimes, a hasty investigation can result in you being mistaken for fraud. If you have an alibi or other evidence to prove that you never committed the fraud in question, you may argue mistaken identity during your trial.
Protecting your rights
Being accused of fraud is a big deal. Contacting Quinn Law Firm at 866-641-8996 to learn more about Pennsylvania and federal criminal laws can help you build a strong defense against your fraud charges.
