Fraud charges are allegations that people have lied or tricked others, usually for financial gain. People may face fraud allegations due to their personal behavior or professional activities.
For example, a mortgage broker might face fraud charges if they encourage a client to misrepresent their income on an application. Healthcare professionals and support professionals who work in medical offices could face fraud charges because of how they bill insurance companies for the services provided to patients.
Fraudulent behavior frequently involves interstate commerce or the use of federal systems, including the postal service and telecommunications. Therefore, the people accused end up facing federal charges instead of charges filed by a specific state.
How can defendants facing federal prosecution for alleged white-collar crimes defend themselves?
By carefully reviewing the evidence
Many successful white-collar criminal defense strategies begin with an analysis of the state’s evidence. Defendants and the lawyers that represent them have the right of discovery. In other words, prosecutors should provide them with information about all of the evidence that they may present in court.
Fraud charges often involve in-depth records of financial transactions and communications. Defendants may need to bring in the support of specialized professionals, such as forensic accountants.
With the right assistance, they may be able to exonerate themselves or find inconsistencies in the state’s case that could help them develop an effective criminal defense strategy. The more complicated the evidence is, the more important it may become to bring in a specialist to assist with a review.
By cooperating with prosecutors
In some cases, the person accused of fraud is merely an employee who behaved a certain way because of an employer’s instructions or the training that they received. In such cases, there may be other parties who are also under federal scrutiny.
Those who can provide valuable information to the state can often minimize their personal consequences. An attorney could help someone negotiate an arrangement in which they provide information in exchange for reduced charges or limited penalties.
Discussing the situation that led to federal criminal charges with a skilled legal team is a good starting point for those who want to avoid a conviction. Federal fraud charges can lead to incarceration, financial penalties and orders of restitution if a defendant doesn’t respond assertively.