Minneapolis Fraud Attorney
 

Fraud Lawyers Defending the Accused in Hennepin County, MN

Being accused of fraud can have a devastating impact on your life and your future. Unfortunately, even if you are innocent, you may be facing serious criminal charges that could result in fines, imprisonment, and a permanent criminal record. If you have been arrested or are under investigation for fraud, it is critical that you reach out to an experienced criminal defense lawyer in your area.

At Brockton D. Hunter P.A., we understand how the criminal justice system works. Our Minnesota criminal fraud attorney has over 20 years of experience defending the accused and has a long list of successful case results. We are here to help you navigate the legal process, protect your rights, and fight for you every step of the way.

If you have been accused of fraud, call our firm at (612) 979-1112 or online to schedule a free, confidential consultation today.

What Is Fraud?

Fraud is a general term that is used to describe a wide range of deceptive practices that are meant to provide an unfair advantage to one party while causing harm to another. While some types of fraud involve the use of force or threats, many are carried out through dishonesty and manipulation.

Some of the most common forms of fraud include:

• Embezzlement
• Identity theft
• Credit card fraud
• Check fraud
• Insurance fraud
• Health care fraud
• Real estate fraud
• Mortgage fraud
• Securities fraud
• Wire fraud

These are just a few examples of the many different types of fraud that can be committed. Fraud can be a state or federal offense, depending on the circumstances, and can carry severe penalties upon conviction.

Defending Against Fraud Allegations

If you have been charged with fraud, the prosecution will have to prove that you intentionally committed the alleged act and did so with the intent to deceive or defraud another person or entity. This means that you may be able to defend yourself against the charges by showing that you acted in good faith or that you did not have the requisite intent to commit fraud.

Some of the most common defenses to fraud charges include:

• Mistake of fact: If you can show that you made an honest mistake or that you were unaware of a certain fact, you may be able to avoid a conviction.
• Insufficient evidence: The prosecution is responsible for proving that you committed the alleged offense beyond a reasonable doubt. If there is not enough evidence to meet this high burden of proof, you may be able to avoid a conviction.
• Entrapment: In some cases, law enforcement may use entrapment to get someone to commit a crime. If you can show that you were entrapped, you may be able to avoid a conviction.

Our Minneapolis criminal fraud attorney can review the facts of your case, help you understand your legal options, and determine the best defense strategy for you. We are prepared to fight for you in court and will do everything we can to help you obtain a favorable outcome.

Penalties for Fraud Convictions

The penalties for a fraud conviction will depend on the specific type of fraud that was committed, the amount of money or property involved, and whether or not the offense was committed across state lines. In general, however, most fraud offenses are considered serious criminal offenses and can carry severe penalties upon conviction.

Some of the most common penalties for fraud convictions include:

• Lengthy prison sentences: Depending on the circumstances, you could be facing anywhere from a few months to several years behind bars.
• Criminal fines: If you are convicted of fraud, you could be facing significant fines. In some cases, the fines may be as high as $1 million or more.
• Restitution: In addition to fines, you may also be required to pay restitution to the alleged victim. This is meant to compensate them for any financial losses they suffered as a result of the fraud.
• Probation: If you are convicted of fraud, you may also be required to serve a period of probation. This is typically in addition to other penalties, such as fines and imprisonment.
• Permanent criminal record: If you are convicted of fraud, you will have a permanent criminal record. This can make it difficult to find employment, obtain housing, or secure a loan.

Because the penalties for fraud convictions can be so severe, it is critical that you reach out to a skilled criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. At Brockton D. Hunter P.A., we can help you understand the charges you are facing, build a strong defense strategy, and fight for you in court.

How to Prove Fraud in Court

Proving fraud in court can be challenging. In order to obtain a conviction, the prosecution will have to prove every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. This is a very high burden of proof and is the highest standard of proof in the legal system.

In order to obtain a conviction, the prosecution will have to prove that you:

• Knowingly and intentionally made a false statement of fact: The prosecution will have to prove that you intentionally made a false statement of fact. If you genuinely believed that your statement was true, you may be able to avoid a conviction.
• With the intent to deceive or defraud the alleged victim: In addition to proving that you made a false statement of fact, the prosecution will also have to prove that you did so with the intent to deceive or defraud the alleged victim. If you can show that you acted in good faith or that you did not have the requisite intent to commit fraud, you may be able to avoid a conviction.
• And that the alleged victim relied on your false statement of fact: Finally, the prosecution will have to prove that the alleged victim relied on your false statement of fact and suffered some sort of financial loss as a result. If the alleged victim did not rely on your statement or did not suffer a financial loss, you may be able to avoid a conviction.

In some cases, the prosecution may have a difficult time proving every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. If this is the case, you may be able to avoid a conviction. Our Minneapolis criminal fraud attorney can help you understand the charges you are facing, the elements of the offense, and the burden of proof. We will do everything we can to help you avoid a conviction and will fight for you every step of the way.

Common Fraud Schemes

While fraud can take many different forms, there are several common schemes that are used to commit fraud. These schemes are often very complex and are designed to deceive the alleged victim and provide the defendant with an unfair advantage.

Some of the most common fraud schemes include:

• Ponzi schemes: A Ponzi scheme is a type of investment fraud that involves the payment of purported returns to existing investors from funds contributed by new investors. Ponzi scheme organizers often solicit new investors by promising to invest funds in opportunities claimed to generate high returns with little or no risk.
• Pyramid schemes: A pyramid scheme is a type of investment scam that promises high rates of return with little risk to investors. The scheme is based on the fact that the number of potential investors is limited and that the scheme will eventually collapse. When this happens, the organizers will take the money and disappear.
• Identity theft: Identity theft involves the unauthorized use of another person's personal information to commit fraud. This can include the use of another person's name, Social Security number, bank account information, or credit card information.
• Credit card fraud: Credit card fraud involves the unauthorized use of another person's credit card information to make purchases. This can include the use of another person's credit card number, expiration date, or security code.
• Check fraud: Check fraud involves the use of a check to commit fraud. This can include the use of a counterfeit check, a stolen check, or a forged check.
• Insurance fraud: Insurance fraud involves the filing of a false insurance claim in order to obtain benefits. This can include the filing of a false claim for an injury, property damage, or a loss of income.
• Health care fraud: Health care fraud involves the filing of a false claim with a health insurance company or a government health care program, such as Medicare or Medicaid.
• Real estate fraud: Real estate fraud involves the use of false information or deception to obtain ownership or control over a piece of real estate.
• Mortgage fraud: Mortgage fraud involves the use of false information or deception to obtain a mortgage loan.
• Securities fraud: Securities fraud involves the use of false information or deception to manipulate the stock market or the price of a particular stock.
• Wire fraud: Wire fraud involves the use of an interstate communication, such as a telephone or the Internet, to commit fraud.

If you have been accused of committing a fraud scheme, it is critical that you reach out to a skilled criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. At Brockton D. Hunter P.A., we can help you understand the charges you are facing and develop a defense strategy that is tailored to your unique situation.

Legal Representation for Fraud Cases

If you have been accused of fraud, you need to take the allegations very seriously. Even if you are innocent, you may be facing serious criminal charges that could result in a conviction and a permanent criminal record. Because the penalties for a fraud conviction can be so severe, it is critical that you reach out to a skilled criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.

At Brockton D. Hunter P.A., our Minneapolis fraud attorney can help you understand your legal options and build a strong defense strategy. We are prepared to fight for you in court and will do everything we can to help you avoid a conviction. Call our firm at (612) 979-1112 or online to schedule a free, confidential consultation today.