When people think of fraud, they may imagine filing false insurance claims or passing bad checks. However, the state’s law includes many more examples of fraud that can be prosecuted as minor misdemeanors or harsh felonies.
Regardless of the alleged crimes you face, a Shelton fraud lawyer is here to help. The legal team at Ruane Attorneys will listen to your side of the story, examine the prosecutor’s evidence, and build a customized defense that fits your goals and the facts of the case.
The State’s Fraud Laws
There is no single crime in the state’s penal code known as fraud. Instead, this is a category of crime with many subsections that outline specific offenses. Some common examples of crimes classified as fraud include the following:
- Forgery or counterfeiting under Connecticut General Statute § 53-347a. This can include changing a mark on an item so that it appears to be a genuine product.
- Credit card theft offenses under CT Gen. Stat. § 53-388a. Here, it is against the law to use any device with the intent to obtain the credit card information of another without their permission. It is also illegal to steal a credit card or possess another’s card without their permission, intending to use it.
- Health insurance fraud under CT Gen. Stat. § 53-442. This can include any action with the intent to deceive an insurance company, such as providing incorrect information on an application for coverage or misstating the reason for an illness or injury.
No matter the exact fraud charges, a Shelton attorney at our firm is prepared to defend against these serious allegations.
Working to Defeat a Prosecutor’s Case
A vital concept in all fraud cases is the idea of intent. A person who makes a simple mistake in an application or when signing a check does not commit a fraudulent act. The burden lies on a prosecutor to show that a defendant intentionally acted with the intent to cheat another out of something of value. A fraud lawyer may center many defenses around the idea that a defendant did not intend to cause harm. Legal counsel could argue that what appeared to be a deceptive act was a simple mistake.
Of course, other defenses may also apply to these cases, including the following:
- Arguing mistaken identity
- Contesting whether the alleged victim suffered any financial harm
- Discussing the legality of police tactics used to obtain evidence
Talking with a nearby lawyer allows them to start building a defense that fits the facts of the fraud case.
Speak with a Shelton Fraud Attorney About Your Case
Whether you are facing allegations of a misdemeanor crime, such as low-level insurance fraud, or a major criminal enterprise, such as counterfeiting, a Shelton fraud attorney is here to help. At Ruane Attorneys, we understand the fraud laws in the state and work to discredit the prosecutor’s case through the cross-examination of witnesses and evidentiary motions.
If your goal is to seek a fair plea deal to minimize potential penalties, we could work toward an agreement that minimizes the severity of a conviction. Alternatively, if you wish to fight the charges at trial, we could develop a well-reasoned and developed argument to present to the jury. Contact us today for a consultation about your case.