UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR FRAUD? A CRIMINAL DEFENCE LAWYER CAN HELP
WE TAKE PROTECTING YOUR REPUTATION SERIOUSLY
If you have been charged with fraud or are under investigation for it, you need an experienced fraud lawyer to help you fight the charges.
Being accused of a crime can be terrifying, but being charged or investigated for fraud also comes with complex financial issues. Never speak to the investigators on your own. Even if you have nothing to hide, you could unintentionally incriminate yourself by saying the wrong thing.
At Alberta Legal, our lawyers are all skilled in all aspects of criminal law, including fighting fraud charges. It’s crucial to consult with a criminal lawyer experienced in fraud cases to navigate the potential consequences and defend your freedom effectively. Contact us today to defend your freedom.
FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES FOR FRAUD
Are you currently facing fraud charges? Fraud covers a broad range of acts, but most simply can be described as the unlawful and deceitful taking of someone’s money, property or valuables. This can include credit card fraud, using someone’s credit card without their knowledge, and falsifying insurance records. Committing fraud can lead to severe legal implications, including various types of fraud charges, potential penalties, and the necessity of seeking professional legal counsel to navigate the complexities of fraud cases.
FRAUD VERSUS THEFT
At its most basic level, theft is classified as taking something that does not belong to you. If you are charged with fraud, however, it means the theft included an element of misrepresentation. There are many types of fraud, including identity theft, forgery, embezzlement and perjury.
SEVERITY OF THE CRIME
Typically fraud, which can lead to criminal charges, is categorized in two ways: fraud in an amount over $5,000 and fraud in an amount less than $5,000. The severity of the crime is typically based on the value of the fraud and its complexity. For example, credit card fraud under $5,000 is typically prosecuted on a lower end of the spectrum.
Whereas defrauding your employer through embezzlement and an elaborate pyramid scheme involving many victims would likely result in prosecution seeking jail time and would be viewed on the higher end of the spectrum. A fraud conviction can carry severe consequences, including imprisonment, fines, and a lasting impact on one’s personal and professional life.
WHAT ARE THE CORRESPONDING CONSEQUENCES?
If you have been charged with either fraud or theft over $5,000, you will be facing more serious consequences than charges for theft or fraud under $5,000, including the risk of obtaining a criminal record which can significantly impact your work, immigration status, and personal freedom.
Fraud under $5,000 may result in a summary conviction, highlighting the importance of understanding the potential penalties involved.
Once it is classified over the $5,000 mark, the options of a conditional sentence, like serving the time under house arrest, will be removed. For theft over $5,000, you could be facing a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail. For fraud over $5,000, the maximum penalty is 14 years in prison.
At Alberta Legal, we will fight for your freedom and the outcome you deserve.
FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS
Every investigation is unique based on the charges, potential and/or alleged victims and details of the case. However, in the event of a fraud investigation, the alleged victim is typically the one to bring it to investigators’ attention.
In Canada, for someone to be found guilty of fraud, the Crown Prosecutor must prove these factors beyond a reasonable doubt:
- A Deceitful Or Dishonest Act Was Committed
- That The Accused Knew This Act Would Cause Economic Deprivation For Another Person
- Or That The Accused Was Willfully Blind To Whether This Would Cause Economic Deprivation
- The Accused Was Aware Of The Fraudulent Act
- There Was A Financial Loss Suffered By The Alleged Victim
The Criminal Code plays a crucial role in defining what constitutes a fraudulent act, emphasizing that it must be committed through deceit, falsehood, or other fraudulent means. This legal framework sets the standards for conviction, underscoring the importance of proving the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
In Canada, for someone to be found guilty of fraud, the Crown Prosecutor must prove these factors:
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PROTECTING Your Legal Rights
WORKING IN YOUR BEST INTERESTS
When you hire a lawyer through Alberta Legal, we will be with you through every step of the way, from pre-charges and investigations up to the potential trial. Our team will protect you from unlawful questioning and help you enforce your rights when dealing with law enforcement. When you choose a lawyer from Alberta Legal, you know you’re selecting a defence lawyer that will work for you.
Not only can you count on our team to provide a legal defence that works in your best interests, but you can also feel confident that the lawyer you hire is the one who will represent you in court, offering the benefit of hiring a theft or fraud lawyer for personalized legal representation in court. We know that when you hire a lawyer, you are hiring that specific person to protect your interests. Not another associate on our team. With Alberta Legal, the lawyer you retain is always the lawyer you will get.
Protect Your Reputation
We take protecting your reputation very seriously. A fraud charge can change how people see you, and affect your livelihood. We are here to protect your reputation by fighting these fraud charges.
Meet with one of our defence lawyers today to discuss the details of your case. An initial consultation is free to determine if you have a case and if we feel we’ll be able to represent you in court.
Client’s Experience With Our Lawyers
Our Success stories
Liam Nelson
Dedication, Support, Ethic, Knowledge, Experience, Sharp and Direct. All the qualities your are looking for in a lawyer, they have it all and some. But JILLIAN WILLIAMSON was my guardian angel. Being a Client, I was comfortable to blindly leave my fate in their hands. That was a real well placed investment in the future of my life. I second, promote, referred and all the synonym possible to anybody facing an up hill battle and needs the support and experience to help you go through it.
K. V
I am so very pleased with the work Mathew Deshaye put into my case! He genuinely is a good person, and is determined to get justice. Matthew is extremely professional and I couldn’t have been happier with having him represent me. I’m glad that I could work with him. Dina his assistant was also great with communicating back and forth with me. I made the right choice by retaining Matthew as my lawyer and I hope you do the same. I am in tears with how grateful I am. I’m so very thankful for the work and research that went into helping me with my case! Thank you! 🙂
Jan Ciganik
I was involved in a motor vehicle case and I knew I needed outstanding representation. Jim Lutz, Lacey and his team were nothing short of perfection. I was thoroughly impressed how he handled my case with expedited tenacity. The judicial system can be very confusing with how everything works ,but Mr. Lutz was very easy to communicate with and simplified everything. If you need a lawyer who is on the ball, Jim without a question is the person who should represent you. I highly recommend Mr. Lutz and his team! Thank you very much Sir and your team for all outstanding professional services.