Fraud Charges Defense Lawyer in Fort Worth, Texas
Fraud charges can broadly apply to a number of acts. Several criminal offenses relating to forgery, credit, and other deceptive practices are listed under the fraud section in Title 7, Chapter 32 of the Texas Penal Code. The possible penalties for alleged fraud depend on the amount or value of the goods or services that were stolen, but convictions can potentially result in several years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.
While fraud charges are frequently thought of as being a “white collar crime” that results in more lenient prosecution, don’t assume the case won’t be prosecuted aggressively. In truth, prosecutors will typically conduct thorough investigations to collect substantial evidence that can be used to convict the suspected parties.
Experienced Fort Worth Fraud Defense Lawyer
Are you under investigation for fraud under Texas Penal Code § 32.01? If so, do not make any statements to a law enforcement officer investigating the crime. Instead, seek out the services of an experienced criminal defense attorney.
The Fort Worth criminal defense attorneys at Gebhardt and Eppes, PLLC aggressively defend clients all over Tarrant County, Parker County, Johnson County, and surrounding communities in North Central Texas. Call (817) 502-3600 today for a complete review of your case during a free, confidential consultation.
Tarrant County Fraud Information Center
- How are property, service, and value defined under Texas law?
- Which kinds of fraud cases does your firm handle?
- Where can I find information for victims of fraud?
Texas Definitions Relating to Fraud Crimes
Texas Penal Code § 32.01 defines many terms that are common in fraud statutes. A financial institution can mean a bank, trust company, insurance company, credit union, building and loan association, savings and loan association, investment trust, investment company, or any other organization held out to the public as a place for deposit of funds or medium of savings or collective investment.
Property is defined as either:
- Real property;
- Tangible or intangible personal property including anything severed from land; or
- A document, including money, that represents or embodies anything of value.
The term service includes the following:
- Labor and professional service;
- Telecommunication, public utility, and transportation service;
- Lodging, restaurant service, and entertainment; and
- The supply of a motor vehicle or other property for use.
Additionally, value is defined as being the fair market value of the property or service at the time and place of the offense or, if the fair market value of the property cannot be ascertained, the cost of replacing the property within a reasonable time after the offense.
The value of documents that do not have a readily ascertainable market value is considered to be the amount due and collectible at maturity less any part that has been satisfied, if the document constitutes evidence of a debt or the greatest amount of economic loss that the owner might reasonably suffer by virtue of loss of the document, if the document is other than evidence of a debt.
Types of Fraud Offenses in Tarrant County
Fraudulent acts are at the center of several criminal offenses in Texas. Alleged misrepresentations or omission of facts for personal or financial gain can result in a person being charged with any of the following offenses:
- Insurance Fraud;
- Mortgage Fraud;
- Forgery;
- Tampering with a Governmental Document
- Identity Theft; and
- Credit Card Abuse.
While any one of these accusations can be extremely frightening for an alleged offender, a skilled defense lawyer may be able to get the charges reduced or dismissed if there is insufficient evidence, the alleged offender was a victim of entrapment, or evidence was obtained through an illegal search and seizure.
Texas Resources for Fraud Charges
Coplogic Fraud Report | Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD) — The FWPD Citizens Online Police Reporting System allows you to report incidents without waiting. You can print a copy of the report for free, and victims of identity theft or fraud are encouraged to keep all papers, receipts, canceled checks, mail from companies or other parties related to the alleged crime. You can also find tips and other agencies that can be contacted on this website.
FWPD Fraud Unit350 West Belknap Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 392-4550
Frauds and Scams | Texas Attorney General — You can find tips to avoid becoming a victim of consumer fraud on this section of the Texas Attorney General website. In addition to “Five Tell-Tale Signs of a Scam,” you can also learn how con artists scam people, what to do if you’ve been scammed or if your family member is a victim, and what to do when the business can’t be found. Elsewhere on the website, you can also learn more about the top ten frauds and scams, sources of assistance, and find answers to consumer protection frequently asked questions.
Find a Lawyer for Fraud Charges in Fort Worth, TX
If you are under investigation for or have already been charged with alleged fraud in Texas, you should absolutely be sure that you have skilled legal counsel capable of clearing your good name. Gebhardt and Eppes, PLLC fights to protect the rights of clients facing criminal charges in Fort Worth and Arlington in Tarrant County. We also represent clients in Weatherford in Parker County, Cleburne in Johnson County, and many surrounding areas in North Central Texas.
Our Fort Worth criminal defense attorneys have over 45 years of combined experience in various roles, including such positions as felony prosecutors and assistant district attorneys. We provide a free initial consultation to discuss your case as soon as you call (817) 502-3600 or submit an online form right now.