Southfield Fraud Lawyer
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In Michigan, the penalties imposed if you are convicted of fraud can be severe. You may face jail or prison time, significant fines, and a permanent criminal record. It’s important to obtain effective legal assistance as soon as possible if you’ve been charged with any type of fraud offense. It’s essential that you start building your defense right away so that you can challenge the evidence against you.
If you are charged with fraud in Southfield, Michigan, then a Southfield fraud lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and options. Attorney Martin Drias has former prosecutorial experience that he will use to defend you.
Call Drias Law Group today at (313) 944-0236 for a free consultation with a Southfield criminal defense lawyer.
Fraud in Michigan
If you’re caught using tricks, lies, or deception to obtain something from another person who wouldn’t have given you their property without said misrepresentations, then you’ve committed fraud. Some common fraud offenses include:
Forgery
If you forge credit or debit cards, checks, or signatures to obtain money or another item of value, you could find yourself charged with a felony-level offense.
Credit Card Theft
Michigan Penal Code Section 150.157(n) makes it illegal to steal the credit or debit card of another individual without their permission. If found guilty of this crime, you face felony charges.
Insurance Fraud
Using false information to get an insurance policy or insurance payout is considered a felony in Michigan.
Possession of a Fake or Altered Credit Card
If you knowingly possess a fake or altered debit/credit card, you may be found guilty of a felony.
Check Fraud
If you don’t have sufficient funds in your account and write a check to pay for a good or service, you may be found guilty of check fraud. Depending on the amount of money in question, this offense is treated as a misdemeanor or felony in the state of Michigan.
Mortgage Fraud
If you make false claims on a mortgage loan application, present fake documents, or help someone make false statements/documents, you will find yourself facing felony-level penalties.
Obtaining a Signature through Fraud
Using a contract or other legal document with a signature you know to be false and fraudulently acquiring someone else’s signature for one of these documents is considered a felony in Michigan.
Food Stamp Fraud
Knowingly using, transferring, acquiring, altering, or purchasing food stamps is either a misdemeanor or felony in Michigan. The charges you face depend on the amount you allegedly stole from the Food Assistance Program.
Penalties for Fraud
While most fraud offenses in Michigan are charged as felonies, some are considered misdemeanors. Because of this, it’s important to understand the statutory and collateral consequences you face if found guilty of fraud. Some of these penalties include:
- Jail or prison time
- Steep fines
- Immigration issues
- Inability to own or possess a firearm
- Difficulty finding and maintaining employment
- A criminal record
- Inability to retain certain professional licenses
- Paying restitution
A misdemeanor or felony entry on your criminal record is quite serious and can affect your life in many ways. If you’re facing any of the above penalties because of a fraud conviction, call a Southfield fraud lawyer from Drias Law Group for help.
Contact an Experienced Southfield Fraud Lawyer
When you’re facing charges for fraud, the prosecutor must prove that you intentionally and knowingly purposed to misrepresent or deceive someone in order to gain benefit and harm the other person. At Drias Law Group, we work hard to make sure your side of the story is presented effectively in order to persuade the court to either dismiss your charges completely or minimize the final consequences as much as possible. With extensive experience as a former prosecutor, Southfield fraud lawyer Martin Drias is dedicated to providing you with vigorous representation to help you achieve the best possible outcome in your case.
Contact our office today at (313) 944-0236 to schedule a free, initial consultation.