Fraud charges are serious criminal offenses to defend against and can carry harsh punishments upon conviction. Having experienced representation throughout criminal proceedings can help you understand your position, available defenses, and options for resolving the case with your goals in mind.
The Spartanburg fraud lawyers at Ellis Hinton have many years of experience as both state and federal prosecutors. This knowledge helps us advocate for clients with an intimate understanding of how the state will proceed in their case, allowing them to honestly assess their options in a plea deal or at trial. Contact our seasoned defense attorneys to schedule a case review today.
Fraud is a broad category of criminal offenses involving deceit and misrepresentations to achieve an end. The motivations behind fraud are often financial, but charges can also arise in circumstances where financial gain is not so direct.
For example, South Carolina Code § 16-13-15 makes falsifying or altering a transcript or diploma illegal. This is punishable as a misdemeanor with penalties including a fine of up to $1,000 and one year in prison. Other examples of fraud charges that a Spartanburg lawyer can defend against may include the following crimes listed under S.C. Code Chapters 13 and 14:
Fraud can be a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the specific charge or circumstances of the case. For example, obtaining a signature or property by false pretenses can be a misdemeanor if the property’s value is $2,000 or less. However, it is a felony if it is more than that amount.
The classification of a fraud charge can significantly impact the potential punishment if a jury finds you guilty. A felony charge for false pretenses has a possible prison sentence of up to five years for obtained property valued between $2,000 and $5,000. In comparison, obtained property valued over $10,000 is punishable with up to 10 years in prison.
A dedicated Spartanburg lawyer will be able to identify your defense options after a review of a fraud case. Some defenses may exist based on violations of your rights under criminal procedure, while others may be based on a lack of evidence or the state’s failure to meet its burden of proof.
Our reliable attorneys may be able to show there was no fraud in a case where a defendant had a legal right to access the property obtained or where a misrepresentation was an honest mistake made without the intent to defraud.
Criminal cases with limited defenses can still benefit from a well-versed lawyer’s counsel in negotiating a plea deal or in efforts to mitigate punishment during sentencing. Call Ellis Hinton for more information.
Based in Greenville, servicing South Carolina and beyond, our Spartanburg fraud lawyers can lend their knowledge and experience in defending against criminal charges.
We offer a personalized approach to each client’s case, emphasizing honesty about the reality of your charges to avoid making promises we cannot keep. Schedule a free case review with our law office today.
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