I Was Suspected Of A White Collar Crime And Am Under Investigation. What Should I Do?

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Hire an Attorney

Your attorney will be able to go in, figure out what the focus of the investigation is, and find out the time frame on the Prosecutor’s end. That attorney will also be able to figure out if you are the primary focus of the investigation or if you are being investigated as part of a larger investigation, and that knowledge can have an impact on how your case turns out.

Politely Decline Interview Requests

Politely decline to submit to an interview until you understand the parameters of the investigation and what it is you’re alleged to have done. Do not make statements until you can speak with your attorney. Then, if you do go in to answer some questions, do it only through your attorney, after you’ve established some parameters with the prosecutor as to what safeguards are built in.

What Should I Look for In an Attorney?

Look for an attorney who has experience working for the prosecution’s side, so they know how the prosecution thinks, know their goals, and know the kind of strategies they are likely to employ. Look for an attorney who has years of experience in white collar crime and who has a proven track record of successfully defending white collar criminal cases. Look for an attorney who has worked in both federal and state courts and knows the difference between the two. Look for an attorney who has a team of highly qualified professionals that he can call upon to help him in his work to put together the defense you need. It’s hard to find all of these in one package, but that’s what John R. Teakell has to offer.

Get Started Now!

The sooner you schedule a consultation with the law offices of John R. Teakell, the sooner we can begin to find out the information you need to give yourself the best chances of having a favorable outcome on your case. Don’t wait until you’ve already been indicted or have already self-incriminated by giving an interview without an attorney present. Every day you delay is one more day the prosecution has to work against you, and one less day that your defense attorney has to find evidence in your favor. It’s never too soon in the process to hire an attorney. Contact us today and put us to work in your favor

Prescription Fraud

“Prescription Fraud” as it is commonly known, is obtaining controlled substances (illegal drugs) in a fraudulent manner by the use of a doctor’s prescription. Prescription fraud cases can be prosecuted in state or federal court depending on the complexity of the underlying activities, yet most of these cases are prosecuted in state court as a charge of obtaining controlled substances by fraud or a similar charge. Read More about Prescription Fraud

Securities Fraud

“Securities fraud” and other criminal offenses involving securities are prosecuted in federal court as felony offenses, and these offenses are based upon allegations of fraud, sales of securities without a license, and omitting pertinent material in the sale of securities, or insider trading.

Read More about Securities Fraud

Defending Against Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud Charges

Identity theft and credit card fraud are serious crimes that can lead to severe legal consequences, including imprisonment, fines, and a permanent criminal record. As these offenses often involve complex investigations and significant financial harm, it’s crucial to have an experienced defense attorney on your side. At Teakell Law, we have a proven track record of defending clients against these charges and navigating the intricacies of identity theft laws. 

This page explores the legal definitions, potential penalties, and defense strategies for identity theft and credit card fraud, as well as how Teakell Law can help protect your rights.

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft involves unlawfully obtaining and using another person’s personal information—such as Social Security numbers, credit card details, or bank account information—without their consent, usually for financial gain. This offense is often charged alongside related crimes like fraudulent financial activity or computer crimes, which can increase the severity of the penalties.

Common forms of identity theft include:

  • Opening credit accounts in another person’s name
  • Applying for loans using stolen personal information
  • Committing tax fraud by filing fraudulent tax returns

Charges related to identity theft often overlap with other white-collar crimes, creating complex legal cases that require detailed analysis and strategic defense. For more information on related charges, you may want to explore our fraud defense services.

Understanding Credit Card Fraud

Credit card fraud refers to the illegal use of someone’s credit card or debit card information to make purchases, withdraw funds, or obtain unauthorized goods or services. Credit card fraud can occur in various forms, including:

  • Card-not-present fraud: Using stolen card information to make online or phone purchases.
  • Card-present fraud: Physically using a stolen or cloned credit card at a point-of-sale.
  • Account takeover: Gaining access to a victim’s credit card account to make unauthorized transactions.

This offense is often charged in conjunction with identity theft, as criminals typically obtain the victim’s personal information to carry out the fraud. To understand how identity theft ties into other financial crimes, visit our page on financial crime defense.

Legal Penalties for Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud

The penalties for identity theft and credit card fraud can be severe, depending on the specifics of the case. Factors such as the amount of financial harm caused, the number of victims involved, and whether the offense occurred across state lines can all influence sentencing.

Common penalties include:

  • Imprisonment: Federal and state laws provide for significant prison sentences, often ranging from 2 to 20 years depending on the amount of financial damage and the complexity of the fraud.
  • Fines: Convictions for identity theft and credit card fraud can result in heavy fines, sometimes exceeding $250,000 for major offenses.
  • Restitution: Courts may require offenders to pay restitution to the victims to cover the financial losses incurred.
  • Probation: In some cases, offenders may be placed on probation with strict conditions, including repayment of victims and supervision.

The legal landscape for these crimes is evolving, and penalties can vary widely. For insights into how these penalties might apply to your case, take a look at our page on federal crime penalties.

Common Defenses Against Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud Charges

Facing charges for identity theft or credit card fraud can be daunting, but several defense strategies can be employed depending on the circumstances of your case. At Teakell Law, we thoroughly review every detail to build a robust defense. Some of the most common defenses include:

  • Lack of Intent: Many fraud-related charges require proof that the defendant intended to commit the crime. If it can be demonstrated that the defendant lacked intent, the charges may be reduced or dismissed.
  • Mistaken Identity: In some cases, the wrong person is charged with the crime. This is particularly common in identity theft cases, where criminals often use stolen personal information to make the crime appear as though it was committed by someone else.
  • Insufficient Evidence: If the prosecution cannot provide clear evidence linking the defendant to the fraudulent activities, the case may be dismissed or the charges reduced.

If you’re facing charges and believe any of these defenses might apply, contact us for a consultation. You can also explore how we approach defending against white-collar crime charges.

The Role of Federal and State Laws

Both federal and state laws govern identity theft and credit card fraud. Federal charges often apply in cases where the fraud crosses state lines, involves federal agencies, or results in significant financial damage. State laws vary but generally cover smaller-scale fraud offenses and individual cases of identity theft. 

Understanding the difference between state and federal crimes is crucial to building an effective defense strategy. For more information on these distinctions, visit our page on federal versus state crime defense.

Why Choose Teakell Law?

At Teakell Law, we understand how overwhelming and stressful it can be to face charges of identity theft and credit card fraud. Our team has years of experience successfully defending clients in state and federal courts. We’re committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that you receive a fair trial.

What We Offer:

  • Comprehensive Case Review: We meticulously review the details of your case, examining every angle to uncover any weaknesses in the prosecution’s argument.
  • Tailored Defense Strategies: We don’t use a one-size-fits-all approach. Every case is unique, and we create personalized strategies designed to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
  • Aggressive Representation: Whether negotiating a plea deal or defending you in court, we fight relentlessly for your freedom and future.

Contact Teakell Law Today

If you are facing identity theft or credit card fraud charges, don’t wait to seek legal representation. Contact Teakell Law today to schedule a consultation and begin building your defense. Our experienced attorneys are ready to help you navigate the complexities of your case.

Criminal Defense

State & Federal Criminal Defense

John Teakell has over 20 years of successful criminal trial experience. As most attornies know, there is no replacement for over 20 years of in court room trial experience. When an attorney says they have experience, make sure that means in-court-room trial experience.

He has had experience as an Assistant United States Attorney and as an Assistant District Attorney. With his past as well as current experience, this makes him well versed in both the federal and state systems. In his twelve years as an Assistant United States Attorney, Mr. Teakell prosecuted complex fraud cases, including bank fraud, insurance fraud, oil and gas fraud, telemarketing fraud, copyright infringement, and other types of fraud cases. Further, Mr. Teakell prosecuted many major drug trafficking and money laundering cases, and violent crimes, including federal death penalty cases, robberies, carjackings, federal murder, and murder of government witnesses.

Mr. Teakell now puts his experience to work defending the rights of people arrested and accused of state and federal criminal offenses. He handles federal grand jury investigations and SEC investigations, and represents defendants in all types of felony and misdemeanor cases, in both the state and federal courts. These cases include drug possession and sale, theft, robbery, grand larceny, white collar crimes, sex offenses, arson, conspiracy, murder, domestic violence and drunk driving(DWI).