Defending Against Fraud Charges In Pittsburgh
A fraud charge can start with a letter from investigators, a call from your bank or an arrest at work. In Pennsylvania, fraud charges often count as felonies and can hurt your job and money for years. At The Law Office of Ryan M. Tutera, I handle every case myself as a solo lawyer and take calls 24/7, so you can talk to your lawyer directly.
Common Fraud Charges And Penalties In Pennsylvania
State and federal prosecutors in Pittsburgh bring many kinds of fraud cases. The grade often depends on the dollar amount involved. These are the charges I see most often:
- Wire fraud: This federal crime covers schemes run through email, phone or electronic transfers. A conviction brings up to 20 years in prison, or up to 30 years if the scheme affects a financial institution.
- Access device and credit card fraud: Using a stolen or unauthorized credit card is a third-degree felony when $500 or more is involved, and it carries up to seven years in prison.
- Forgery: Forging currency, stock certificates or government-issued documents is a second-degree felony with up to 10 years in prison. Forged checks, deeds and contracts are usually third-degree felonies.
- Identity theft: Using another person’s identifying information is a third-degree felony when the total value reaches $2,000. The grade goes up one step if the alleged victim is 60 or older or a minor.
- Insurance fraud: Filing a false or inflated claim with an insurer is generally a third-degree felony. This law covers staged accidents and exaggerated property damage claims.
Each of these charges also gives you a criminal record that can follow you into job applications and background checks.
How I Build A Defense Against Fraud Charges
Fraud cases rest on paper and data: Bank statements, emails, security videos, login records and handwriting checks. As a criminal defense lawyer, I search that evidence for holes, such as payments no one can link to you or intent the records do not show.
Pennsylvania law makes you pay victims back if a court convicts you, so repayment carries real weight in talks with prosecutors. Early repayment can help me ask to lower a felony to a misdemeanor. For some first-time offenders, it can also help you join Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, a pretrial program that can end in dismissal.
Fraud is one of several white-collar offenses I defend, and I handle every stage myself, from the investigation through trial if needed.
Get Direct Answers About Your Fraud Charges
Investigators often keep building a case after the first contact, and prosecutors can use anything you say early against you. Call 412-566-2660 day or night, or request a consultation appointment. As an attorney, I represent clients in Pittsburgh and throughout Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington and Cambria counties.