If you are looking for criminal defense law attorneys in Tampa, it’s a good idea to find legal support from a lawyer who has experience defending clients who face charges for similar crimes. When it comes to defending fraud cases, there are many types of fraud. Just because an attorney has experience winning embezzlement cases doesn’t mean he has a history of trying racketeering cases.
You’ll want to find someone with the right experience to improve your legal argument and chances of winning your case. In this brief article, a fraud defense attorney in Tampa covers some of the most common types of fraud cases tried on the federal level and in the State of Florida.
Bribery is a type of fraud that most people are familiar with, since it is often seen in movies and television shows. Bribery occurs when someone offers you something of value (i.e. money, jewelry, etc.) in exchange for your support. It happens every day, although many people don’t recognize it when they are offered a small bribe. Bribing someone within the government or with the power of authority is a more serious crime.
Embezzlement is more common in large organizations that have a lot of liquid assets. It is the act of “skimming off the top” or taking money out of a fund or account without permission or a legitimate purpose. Although it mainly happens in large organizations, embezzlement can happen in any company. Forensic financial services are often needed to identify embezzlement.
Racketeering is another type of fraud that is often seen in pop culture because it is often committed by criminal organizations. Racketeering occurs when an organization creates a problem and extorts money to offer a solution. The mafia is well-known for racketeering, as it offered “protection” for shops and vandalized any businesses that did not pay. Racketeering is still a major concern since it is a relatively easy form of fraud to use to prey upon businesses. For defense against racketeering charges, it is imperative that you hire a fraud defense lawyer in Tampa as early on in the process as possible.
Securities fraud deals with the misrepresentation of stock or investment information. Investors buy, the broker collects the fees, and the investor loses money on their investments. By misrepresenting the quality of the investments, the broker obtains money from investors in the form of fees. This type of fraud can have a big impact on trading markets since investors may lose confidence and stop trading altogether. Victims may be able to recover the full value of their investment and more in compensation.
Identity theft occurs when someone steals the identity and credentials of another person. As technology becomes a bigger part of everyday life, the threat of identity theft steadily increases. A case of identity theft can be challenging to prove unless a paper trail makes it clear. Even so, it’s a crime that the general public is especially concerned with. This can make finding a sympathetic jury extremely challenging.
Money laundering is a method of making stolen or counterfeit money seem legitimate by filtering it through a trusted institution, like a foreign bank. By laundering money, it makes it harder to prove that the money was acquired through illegal activity. Most money laundering cases are systemic and used by organizations to continually launder large amounts of money. Having a fraud defense lawyer in Tampa with experience in money laundering cases makes a big difference, as these cases can be complex, requiring special training and experience.
Being accused of tax fraud is a serious offense with long-term implications, including increased scrutiny from the IRS. Tax fraud is the act of lying on tax documents to either get a refund or to pay less in taxes. Having the IRS comb through your financials can be stressful, and you will likely need the help of an attorney to resolve the issue.
Extortion is the act of using physical violence or threats to get something you want. It’s a felony that includes threatening someone’s personal property, family, or livelihood. It can also mean impersonating someone else to gain access to money or property, such as pretending to be an IRS agent or an employee of a utility company.
There are many different types of fraud crimes that you could face charges for. If you need a criminal defense lawyer in Tampa, hire only from among the most experienced law firms with a history of representing clients in similar cases to yours.
For a free consultation with a criminal defense lawyer in Tampa, please contact The Rickman Law Firm today.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.