Maryland Fraud Defense Lawyer

Baltimore Crimianl Defense Lawyers

Fraud is a category of theft that includes crimes such as credit card fraud, insurance fraud, loan fraud, identity fraud, internet fraud, check fraud, and forgery fraud, among many others. Fraud is a serious charge that can have severe consequences.

Fraud is more common than most people imagine. This is primarily because fraud includes many different types of criminal conduct and charges. Typically, fraud is defined as an intent to purposefully deceive another person or party to illegally obtain goods, services, property, or legal rights. If you are charged with fraud, you need to take the allegations seriously. Our Maryland fraud defense lawyer has been defending people accused of fraud for over three decades. Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 431-0911 to schedule an appointment to review any charges level against you.

Types of Fraud Charges in Maryland

No two fraud cases are the same and each one will have its own unique set of facts and circumstances. The experienced attorneys and staff at Rice, Murtha & Psoras understand that every case must be thoroughly investigated to craft a defensive strategy based on your specific charges. Some types of allegations our office defends against are listed below.

Tax Fraud

Any intentional inaccurate or omitted information on a tax return to avoid tax liability

Credit Card Fraud

Providing false or misleading information to use or obtain a credit card.

Bank Fraud

Providing false or misleading information, either personal or financial, to obtain a loan approval, open an account, or gain access to existing financial accounts.

Mail Fraud

Taking advantage of or using the United States Postal Service to commit a fraud crime.

Healthcare Fraud

Providing false information or omitting information as a doctor, medical professional, or patient to file a false health insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare claim.

Bankruptcy Fraud

Providing false or misleading information regarding your income, assets, debts, or other required information on a bankruptcy petition or schedule.

The legal defense that our office will develop will depend on the underlying circumstances of your case and the allegations made by the prosecutor. Each type of fraud case has its own specific elements that need to be proved along with potential defenses. Our experienced Maryland fraud defense attorney will work with you and the given facts to fight the allegations charged and limit the possible legal consequences.

Understand Fraud Charges in Maryland

There are many types of conduct that could constitute fraud. However, the unifying feature involves using deception for monetary gain, information, or property. Proving fraud is much more than showing evidence that someone’s conduct was dishonest. The prosecution would have to establish five elements to substantiate a criminal charge of fraud against you.

False Statement of Fact

If you have not made a deliberate statement that was knowingly false, you have not committed fraud. This element is more deceptive than it seems. A statement of opinion or belief is not a statement of material fact. For example, when a car salesperson says, “I think this model is one of the best cars on the lot,” it is not necessarily fraud even if the quality of the vehicle is questionable.

To be considered a false statement for purposes of the required elements, the statement must also have a significant bearing on the transaction or situation in question.

Knowledge of the Truth

Next, it must be shown that you were aware that the statement was false when it was made. If you believe inaccurate facts, you cannot usually be considered guilty of fraudulent conduct. However, some organizations and individuals that have a legal obligation to know the facts. When an organization or individual fails to understand the required facts and passes along false or inaccurate information, they could be found guilty of a crime. For example, a realtor who makes a declaration about a house they are selling without conducting a professional home inspection could be guilty of fraud.

Intent to Deceive

In addition to making a known false statement, a charge of fraud requires that the actor made a deliberate and conscious decision to use the false statement to deceive the victim. Furthermore, the purpose must have been to deprive the target of their assets or a legal right.

Reliance on the False Statement

A false statement, with the intent to deceive, is still not a criminal act if the victim did not reasonably rely on the information. If the statement is absurd and completely unbelievable, then it typically does not constitute fraud. For example, a car salesperson who claims that the 1977 Gremlin they are selling is “the greatest car ever made” probably has not made a genuinely believable statement.

Therefore, the false statement must also be crafted and delivered in a believable fashion. If a person would not reasonably rely on or believe the statement, then the falsehood would not be considered legal fraud.

There are exceptions to this requirement. If a potential victim is either illiterate, ignorant, or otherwise at a mental disadvantage, then the reasonable standard would not apply.

The Victim Suffers Damage

The critical and final element is usually the hardest to defend. The deceptive statement must have caused substantive damage to the targeted victim. Typically, the most common damage associated with criminal fraud cases is the loss of money. The person who relied on the false statement must have given up money, services, legal rights, or something else of value. Typically, in cases of fraud, the prosecution is trying to show that the defendant profited at the victim’s expense.

If You Have Been Accused of Fraud, Contact Our Maryland Fraud Defense Lawyer

Do not go to court alone. A criminal fraud conviction can affect the rest of your life. You could spend years in jail, pay fines, court costs, and regret not having a professional attorney advising you on the best decisions in your criminal case. Call the Maryland fraud defense lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (410) 431-0911 to schedule a free criminal defense consultation. We have years of experience and we can put that knowledge to work in your criminal case.

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