Anyone who is charged with wire fraud faces heavy fines, potential jail time, and other potentially life-altering consequences. If you are involved in a business, a conviction could have serious consequences for the company you work for. Anyone who is being investigated for this type of white-collar crime should seek the legal services of a Los Angeles wire fraud lawyer.
Wire fraud crimes are often extremely complex. You will want to work with an attorney who has experience representing defendants who face allegations of defrauding victims through electronic communications. With the right law firm by your side, you may be able to have the penalties tied to your case reduced. If the evidence supports your innocence, you may be able to have the charges dropped altogether.
The elements of wire fraud are similar to mail fraud. When someone uses a telephone call or electronic communication in furtherance of the scheme, they may be charged with this type of white-collar crime. Because wire fraud almost always involves the transmission of information across states, wire fraud is a federal crime.
Wire fraud involves electronic forms of communication. The mere attempt to defraud someone using radio, email, text, and other forms of telecommunications can lead to criminal charges of wire fraud. The white-collar crime uses the speed of electronic communications to defraud victims. This also makes locating perpetrators of this crime difficult. There are four fundamental elements of wire fraud:
Wire fraud is a serious criminal charge that carries the potential of fines and imprisonment. Each electronic communication can be charged as a separate count. This can lead to multiple charges of wire fraud.
These examples show what wire fraud looks like in real life. Scammers take advantage of the convenience of reaching out to many people at once under false pretenses with the goal of tricking victims into sending money electronically. Many of these crimes cross state lines and, therefore, become federal crimes.
Anyone who is charged with committing wire fraud in Los Angeles faces serious life-changing penalties. State and federal agencies take fraudulent activities very seriously. Once you have legal representation, your lawyer can examine the facts of the case to see where law enforcement or prosecutors misinterpreted the evidence. The line between legitimate business and criminal acts can sometimes become blurred by prosecutors who jump to conclusions.
One legal argument that may help your case is that you did not intend to commit fraud. White-collar crimes often require that prosecutors prove that the defendant intended to defraud investors and did so, knowing that those acts violated standing laws. If the prosecutors cannot demonstrate using evidence that you had the intention of committing wire fraud, they may not have a strong case against you.
Another defense would be to show that the defendant was mistaken about key facts about a product or service they sold. For example, if you were in the business of selling mail-order products to people but were unaware that those products were falsely labeled, you may not be charged with wire fraud. Making an honest mistake should not constitute committing a crime.
An experienced defense attorney will gather evidence that pokes holes in the prosecutor’s case. If there are witnesses who allege you committed wire fraud, a defense attorney can find areas where those statements are contradictory or inconsistent. On cross-examination, their testimony may become unreliable.
Resolving your case may require demonstrating your innocence. In other situations, accepting a lesser charge may be in your interest. If needed, your wire fraud lawyer can make the case for your innocence before a jury.
A: One of the most effective ways to beat a wire fraud case is by hiring an experienced white-collar crime attorney who understands the federal laws and how to defend against them. If your attorney is able to disprove the four key elements of wire fraud, prosecutors may no longer have a case. Proving intent is often difficult, and circumstantial evidence may not be enough for federal prosecutors to move forward with charges.
A: Under United States Code Section 1343, the criminal offense of wire fraud is made when someone uses “electronic communication” in furtherance of a scheme. Prosecutors must prove that the accused intended to defraud and used some form of telecommunication to deceive or defraud someone. Misrepresentation is a common element of wire fraud. Due to the nature of the crime, finding the people who commit this form of white-collar crime is often difficult.
A: Wire fraud may initially be noticed by local or state law enforcement involved in investigating white-collar crimes. Federal agencies typically take over those investigations because wire fraud is a federal crime. Sometimes, local, state, and federal groups will coordinate efforts that ultimately lead to prosecution in federal court.
A: Wire fraud is a federal crime, so any agency that prosecutes white-collar crime will be a federal agency. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the United States Secret Service, or the Department of Justice (DOJ) could potentially prosecute wire fraud, possibly in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies.
Being charged with wire fraud or finding out that you are being investigated for wire fraud can be an unsettling and nerve-wracking experience. It is important to remember that being charged with a crime does not mean that you committed the offense that you are charged with. Your wire fraud lawyer in Los Angeles can review the facts of the case and develop a legal strategy that works to protect your rights.
Due to the complexity of wire fraud cases, it is important to work with a law firm that has experience representing defendants who are facing white-collar criminal charges. An attorney with the Law Offices of Marc S. Nurik can handle your defense and collect evidence that rebuts the accusations that you are facing. Do not hesitate to contact our legal team to start the process today.
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