Federal Fraud Defense Lawyers Serving the Central District of Illinois
Fraud is first defined as intentionally and knowingly concealing, falsifying, or covering up a material, or important, fact by any scheme, trick, or device. Fraud can also involve making a fraudulent, false, or fictitious statement or representation. Lastly, fraud can occur when a person or entity makes or uses false documents or other writings while knowing they contain any fraudulent, materially false, or fictitious information.
Some of the most common types of fraud cases on the federal level include bank fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and tax fraud. The federal fraud defense lawyers at the Noll Law Office understand the serious nature of these charges, as well as the harsh penalties associated with a conviction. They also have the experience to analyze any investigation conducted by the FBI, DEA, IRS, or any other law enforcement agency and can fight back against the charges pursued by the federal government. Contact them today at (217) 414-8889 for a free initial consultation.
Bank Fraud
Bank fraud occurs when a person intentionally defrauds a bank or other financial institution or participates in a scheme to defraud a bank. It is also a case of federal fraud when a person fraudulently obtains money, securities, credit, or other property using misrepresentation or false pretenses. Bank fraud is punishable by up to 30 years in federal prison and a fine that cannot exceed $1 million. When the accused is an officer, director, or employee of a bank, the potential penalties for fraud are even harsher. The skilled fraud defense lawyers at Noll Law Office have long track records of successfully defending clients in federal fraud cases and can put that experience to work for you.
If you are being investigated or have been charged with bank fraud, you do not want to speak to anyone about these allegations until you have met with an experienced criminal defense lawyer. Law enforcement will seek to obtain your consent to find evidence that they may not be otherwise be able to obtain. Of course, they will also seek to use your statements against you in criminal or administrative proceedings.
An experienced federal criminal defense lawyer should be able to explain the investigative process to you and advise you of your rights. The federal criminal defense lawyers at the Noll Law Office have litigated federal fraud cases for years and understand how prosecutors attempt to prove these cases. With this knowledge, they have a unique understanding of the best defenses available to an individual.
Mail Fraud
One definition of mail fraud is when the United States mail is used to further a criminal offense. The law also extends to private mail carriers, such as UPS and FedEx, and any fraudulent act that utilizes these companies can also be federally charged as mail fraud. For example, a person may send letters in the mail asking for donations for a fraudulent charity. Regardless of the service used to send these letters, the act is considered mail fraud. Mail fraud is a common federal offense, and it is very serious. If the federal prosecutor is successful in securing a conviction, mail fraud is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
Fraud investigations can be complex. Prosecutors attempt to overwhelm defendants with vast amounts of paperwork including bank records, tax documents, and business records. Paperwork in these cases can easily reach thousands to hundreds of thousands of pages of documentation. It is important to have lawyers who have experience in defending these types of cases so they can pull out the information that is important and helpful to present to a jury.
Wire Fraud
Wire fraud is similar to other types of theft as it involves illegally obtaining money or property. Wire fraud can involve a number of devices used in the commission of the crime, including television, radio, internet, fax, or telephone transmissions. Also, like mail fraud, cases of wire fraud can also include other charges, such as theft. Wire fraud carries penalties of up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $1 million, or both.
In this day and age, it is virtually impossible to live our lives without the use of phones or the internet. Federal prosecutors tend to have very little barrier to demonstrating that alleged criminal conduct affected interstate commerce. However, their ability to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a person knowingly or intentionally participated in a scheme to defraud is much more difficult.
Tax Fraud
Tax fraud is defined as attempting to avoid paying federal income taxes. Tax fraud can occur in one of two ways. Some of the most common ways tax fraud occurs are by underreporting income, overestimating business expenses, and failing to file a tax return.
Tax evasion is a federal felony offense. Tax evasion occurs when a person intentionally makes false statements, claims illegal deductions, or uses other methods to try and reduce their tax liability. The maximum penalty for a tax evasion conviction is up to five years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $100,000, or both. The attorneys at Noll Law Office have the necessary expertise to defend against these charges and will carefully analyze any investigation conducted by the IRS.
Tax avoidance is another type of tax fraud, but it is a misdemeanor offense. Tax avoidance occurs when a person fails to file a federal tax return when they are going to owe money to the federal government. Under the law, everyone in the country is obligated to pay their taxes, file a return, store records, and supply income information. Tax avoidance is punishable by up to one year in federal prison, a fine of $25,000, or both. When a corporation is convicted of tax evasion, the fine increases to $100,000.
The Federal Fraud Defense Lawyers at the Noll Law Office Illinois Can Defend Your Charges
Federal fraud charges are very serious. At the Noll Law Office, their Illinois federal fraud defense lawyers have extensive experience successfully defending their clients, and they will put our expertise to work for you, too. Call today at (217) 414-8889 or fill out their online form to schedule a free review of your case with one of their skilled criminal defense attorneys and to learn more about how they can help.