Nevada County Fraud Lawyer

There are many different types of fraud, all of which carry big criminal penalties. If you are arrested and charged with fraud, you need to take the accusations seriously.

Call the lawyers for fraud at Walsh Law if you’ve been accused of a crime in Nevada County. As former prosecutors, we know how the other side develops a case. We will use that knowledge to develop a strong defense for you.

A Nevada County fraud lawyer is ready to fight for you. Call (530) 499-0645 or use our online contact form to schedule a confidential and free initial consultation.

Types of Fraud in Nevada County

Fraud in California is a type of white-collar crime that occurs through deception or deceit to gain an unfair advantage or cause harm to another person. It can involve various actions motivated by financial gain, escaping criminal charges, or other reasons. Fraud typically takes place at someone else’s expense.

Financial Fraud

Financial fraud involves stealing something of value – typically money or credit – through manipulation or trickery. Some examples include credit card fraud (California Penal Code Sections 484e – 484j PC), check fraud (California Penal Code Section 476 PC), identity theft, commercial loan fraud, investment scams, and securities fraud.

Insurance Fraud

Insurance fraud (California Penal Code Section 550 PC) occurs when someone attempts to claim insurance payments wrongfully. It can happen in several ways, including faking a car accident, staging vandalism, false healthcare billing, falsifying unemployment claims, and falsely reporting a stolen car.

Real Estate Fraud

California’s real estate market is booming, presenting many opportunities for fraud. Some examples of real estate fraud in California include rent skimming (California Civil Code Section 890), forging a deed or inspection paperwork, lying about the condition of a property, hiding structural problems or pest infestations in a property, mortgage fraud, or Ponzi schemes to lure investors in with promises of non-existent high returns.

Fraud Against the Elderly

Elder fraud, or financial exploitation that targets older individuals, uses deceptive tactics to steal money, property, or personal information. These financial traps often involve telemarketing scams, home repair scams, grandparent scams, and social security scams.

Mail Fraud

Mail fraud uses the U.S. post office to defraud a person through scams involving phishing, lottery scams, fake check scams, and charity scams. These are federal crimes that can result in incarceration in federal prison and significant fines.

Penalties for Fraud in Nevada County

Most fraud crimes are considered wobblers in Nevada County. That means that the prosecutor may charge you with either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the facts of the case.

In fraud cases, the government will confiscate the property or money that was allegedly obtained via fraud. A Nevada County fraud attorney can help determine if you will be able to get your property or money back.

Misdemeanor vs. Felony Fraud Charges

Many fraud charges may be charged as either misdemeanors or felonies. The determining factor is often the value of money or property that was allegedly taken.

Misdemeanor fraud usually involves less than $950 in cash or property. You may face up to one year in jail and fines of up to $1,000. You may also receive a sentence including probation, community service, and restitution.

Felony fraud involves more than $950 in money or property. A conviction can result in years in state prison and fines of up to $50,000. Additional consequences can include parole and restitution.

Defenses to Fraud Charges in Nevada County

Nevada County prosecutors are harsh on fraud, especially when it involves significant amounts of money or high-value property. It’s important to work closely with a fraud criminal defense lawyer to develop a strong defense strategy.

Your Nevada County lawyer for fraud cases may use one or more of the following defenses:

Lack of Intent: Intent is a necessary element in most fraud charges. The prosecution needs to prove you intentionally deceived someone. If you made an honest mistake or had a sincere misunderstanding, this could be a strong defense.
No Damages: If no one suffered any harm or loss because of your actions, it might be difficult to prove fraud occurred.
Improper Government Conduct: If law enforcement obtained evidence through illegal means, it could be excluded, weakening the prosecution’s case.
Rights Violations: Violations of your Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable search and seizure or other constitutional protections could impact your case.
Entrapment: If law enforcement induced you to commit fraud through undue pressure or tactics, entrapment could be a defense.
Many other defenses may be used for specific types of fraud charges. No matter what you’re facing, your Nevada County criminal fraud attorney at Walsh Law will develop a defense that uniquely addresses the facts in your case.

Call a Fraud Lawyer in Nevada County Today

An unexpected fraud arrest or charge can leave you without knowing where to turn. Don’t deal with this situation alone. The fraud lawyers at Walsh Law know how the prosecution develops cases because they used to be prosecutors. Today, we fight for the rights of the accused.

A fraud conviction in Nevada County can result in serious time in jail and significant fines. By working with an experienced Nevada County fraud lawyer, you will have the best opportunity for a positive outcome.

Call (530) 499-0645 or use our online contact form to schedule a free initial consultation with a lawyer for fraud.