Federal Fraud Lawyers in Pennsylvania

Information on Federal Fraud Charges 

Penalties and Criminal Court Proceedings

Fraud falls into a category of crimes known as white collar crimes. These are generally non-violent crimes involving money and real property that are punished as severely as violent crimes due to their deceitful nature and impact on its victims.

If you were charged with a fraud crime in federal court, you face very harsh penalties that include significant jail time and hefty fines.

Seek the help of a qualified and experienced federal fraud attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights, your freedom and your reputation.

At Ketchel Law, we are well-versed in both state and federal court systems and can help you understand your rights and your options to fight against your charges.

If you were indicted on a federal fraud crime, or think you may be charged, or are already under investigation, contact Attorney Justin J. Ketchel immediately for a free case evaluation.

 

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR FEDERAL FRAUD CHARGES DISMISSED.

Call 412-456-1221 for a free consultation

PITTSBURGH FEDERAL CRIME LAWYERS

 

FRAUD DEFINED

Fraud is a very broad term that is used to describe an intentional deception or misrepresentation used to benefit yourself or someone else. Fraud crimes typically involve a person usin

g deceit to gain money or real property for one’s own benefit. These crimes almost always involve a purposefully false statement, lie, misrepresentation, false documents, or the like. The point of these deceitful acts is to gain something of value by getting the victim to believe something the perpetrator knows to be false.

The main elements of a fraud crime include:

  • Purposeful misrepresentation of a material fact
  • With knowledge that it is false
  • To a victim who reasonably, or justifiably, relies on the misrepresentation
  • The victim suffers an actual loss as a result

Fraud, which is a type of theft, is distinguishable from a theft or larceny crime because it usually involves a person’s abuse of a position of trust. Abuse of trust is what makes fraud stand apart as its own category of crime, and in many cases, punished more severely.

While fraud, just one of a host of crimes considered to be a white collar crime, may not hurt the victim physically, the repercussions can cause significant distress. The planned, deceitful nature of a fraud crime is what makes it so reprehensible.

Remember, being charged with a crime, does not mean that you will be convicted.  It is extremely important that you are represented properly throughout the duration of your case.

If you suspect you are under investigation for a federal crime, you should speak to an attorney as soon as possible.

For a free evaluation of your case, please call Attorney Justin Ketchel today at 412-456-1221.

There are various types of fraud crimes. In addition, fraud is often charged in addition to other crimes, which can significantly increase the penalties as each crime is charged and sentenced separately.

Federal fraud crimes include:

You can be charged in both state and federal court for your fraud crime. However, federal charges will typically apply in cases that cross state lines, involve interstate commerce, or involve a federal department or agency.

As an example, the United States Postal Service is run by the federal government, so mail fraud is most often prosecuted in federal court.

These crimes are taken very seriously and in recent years punishments have become more and more strict. You cannot leave your case to chance. Having an attorney who is experienced in the rules and procedures of federal court is extremely important.

 

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR FEDERAL CHARGES DISMISSED.

Call 412-456-1221 for a free consultation

PITTSBURGH FEDERAL CRIME LAWYERS

 

PUNISHMENT FOR FRAUD CRIMES

In determining a punishment for a person convicted of a fraud crime the federal court will often take into account several factors:

  • The amount lost by the victim. The punishment shall correlate to the amount lost; i.e. the greater the loss, the greater the punishment;
  • The “reasonably foreseeable” loss. This is the amount that the court thinks any reasonable person in the same situation as the victim could foresee losing;
  • The number of victims to the crime;
  • The particular abuse of trust.

The court will take all of these factors into consideration when determining the punishment for someone found guilty of fraud.

These factors could potentially increase the amount of jail time, fines and/or restitution. Restitution is money that is ordered to be paid to the victim to compensate them for their losses.

Some examples of punishments for some federal fraud crimes include:

  • Mail Fraud: Up to 20 years in prison, fines, restitution and probation
  • Tax Fraud: Up to 5 years in prison, up to $100,000 in fines for an individual and up to $500,000 for a corporation.

In federal court, in addition to the punishments of jail time, fines and restitution, the court may also order you to pay for the cost of your prosecution.

Being found guilty of a fraud crime in federal court can be extremely costly. With the jail time, it is likely that you will lose your job and have a significant impact on your trustworthiness and reputation. Then, you will have to find a way to pay the very expensive fines, restitution and reimbursement for the prosecution’s costs. You cannot run the risk of being underrepresented.

How Ketchel Law Can Help

We will stick with you from start to finish.

From the moment you engage Ketchel Law to represent you, we will work tirelessly to ensure every aspect of your defense is addressed at every phase. We will make certain you understand your rights and options so that you are prepared at every turn and we will fight to have your charges dropped or significantly reduced.

State and federal cases are prosecuted extremely differently. It is a must to have a knowledgeable and experienced federal crimes attorney on your side. We understand what you are going through and will tirelessly fight on your behalf to ensure that your arrest has a minimal impact on every aspect of your life.

An aggressive and meticulous attorney will gather all evidence and facts about your case, presenting your history to make the best possible defense.

We will attempt to discredit evidence not in your favor and work closely with you to find the best course of action in defending your rights and your freedom.

Learn more about Ketchel Law:

CALL KETCHEL LAW NOW FOR A FREE LEGAL CONSULTATION AT 412-456-1221.

OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL: GETTING YOUR CHARGES DISMISSED.

CALL KETCHEL LAW TODAY: 412-456-1221

FREE CONSULTATION