Bank Fraud Lawyer Protecting the Rights of Orange County Clients

The term ‘bank fraud’ calls to mind stories of high-profile cases where white-collar criminals ripped off a financial institution — or, perhaps, the financial institutions were accused of ripping off their client base. However, bank fraud crimes are not exclusive only to the super-wealthy. Forging a personal check for a few hundred dollars could result in an individual being charged for bank fraud.

State and federal prosecutors aggressively pursue criminal offenses relating to bank fraud. These types of criminal offenses are similar to monetary theft, except they have the added element of fraud, where one party was put in a position of trust and then betrayed that trust to their personal benefit. Many bank fraud charges include the criminal charge of conspiracy, especially if more than one person benefited from or took part in the fraudulent scheme.

While charged as a crime like any other, most bank fraud cases are the result of accidents and errors in the transfer of funds to or from a bank. Sometimes people are arrested for breaking the law, not knowing that they had been using illegally obtained or altered checks, money, or credit.

If you have been accused of a bank fraud crime, speak with fraud attorney Diane C. Bass. The consequences for a misdemeanor or felony conviction could include extremely costly fines, probation, or time behind bars in state prison. The time to begin building your defense is now, not later. The Law Office of Diane C. Bass has worked on some of the largest fraud cases in California at both the state and federal levels. To hire defense attorney Bass as your legal representative, please call her office to schedule your consultation.

What Types of Bank Fraud Do Criminal Defense Attorneys Represent?

Criminal defense attorneys can represent clients arrested for a number of different federal crimes relevant to bank fraud, including:

• Altering a check or money order.
• Blackmail or extortion.
• Computer and internet-based crimes.
• Creating fake personal checks by forgery and counterfeiting.
• Doctoring credit cards for fraudulent purposes.
• California penal code identifies embezzlement, thus, “the fraudulent appropriation of property by a person to whom it has been entrusted.”
• Forging fake identities.
• Identity theft.
• Insurance fraud.
• Misrepresentation of important, relevant information.
• Stealing credit card information.
• Wire fraud and mail fraud.

If you are facing allegations for any of the above crimes, please seek the legal advice of attorneys well-versed in the particular ins and outs of a fraud case. County jail is not where you want to end up at the end of your appearance in court.

In order to best craft a winning defense and hopefully avoid any unwelcome prison sentences, consult with Orange County attorney Diane C. Bass about your legal issue without further delay.

What Are the Penalties for Bank Fraud?

A guilty conviction in a bank fraud case can result in expensive financial fines, probation, jail time, and the loss of professional licenses. Businesses can also be found guilty of bank fraud and face similarly harsh consequences. Those facing federal charges in addition to charges at a state level can expect to see enhanced sentencing. It is not uncommon for additional federal crimes to be tacked onto a bank fraud case.

The consequence that defendants might expect will depend largely on the severity of the crimes in the eyes of the federal prosecutors and judges. While some offenses may only be worthy of a misdemeanor conviction — resulting in thousands of dollars in fines and potentially probation — the attorneys for the government may pursue felony charges for offenses they deem exceptionally heinous.

The existence of the defendant’s prior criminal record may also come into play when facing judgment in federal courts. All of the defendant’s financial records may also be investigated during court proceedings.

How Could Criminal Defense Lawyers Help Your Case?  

Fraud is a hot topic that is aggressively prosecuted by federal law. However, just because you are charged with fraud crimes does not necessarily mean that you will soon be convicted. Like everyone else brought before a judge in state and federal courts, you are innocent until proven guilty.