Fraud Charge Defense
Arrested for Fraud in Houston, TX?
Contact Jack B. Carroll, an experienced defense lawyer, today.
Fraud is a theft-related criminal offense of moral turpitude in which the accused party is alleged to have gained value by using trickery. Examples of using trickery to obtain value, goods, money, or services include, but are not limited to the following;
- Forgery, Forging a signature,
- Identity theft,
- Falsifying a credit application,
- Writing Bad Checks, or Hot Checks,
- Unauthorized use of a credit card, credit line, bank account, wire fraud, bank fraud, credit card fraud,
- Creating fake or false checks, check forgery, and
- Con schemes can also be grounds for fraud charges.
Most cases involving fraud that are tried in Harris County/Houston area criminal courts are nothing more than misdemeanors and State Jail offenses.
In Texas, if the case of criminal fraud involves massive value, the range of punishment will depend on the amount of monetary value defrauded.
In other words, “The higher the crime, the higher the time,” is the case when it comes to fraud cases in Houston under the laws of the State of Texas.
Harris County, The State of Texas, and other Houston area criminal prosecutors generally base their criminal cases on documented evidence such as credit card receipts, credit apps, IP addresses, signatures, and other digital means involving financial footprints deriving from illegal activities. Security cameras are also used in combination with financial records.
You don’t necessarily have to commit fraud to be charged with fraud in The State of Texas. You can be charged with fraud for merely having in your possession false documents, fake credit cards, forged checks, and so forth.
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Houston Criminal Defense Attorneys
If you have been charged with a crime in Houston, contact Houston criminal defense attorney Jack B. Carroll today at (713) 228-4607 or request your free case evaluation.
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Proven Results
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Looking for a White Collar Crimes Lawyer in Houston?
Reach out to Attorney Jack B. Carroll Today.
If you’re facing criminal charges of fraud or identity theft, you’ll need legal representation. If you’re looking for an experienced criminal defense lawyer, Board Certified® Texas criminal law attorney Jack B. Carroll takes pride in helping people threatened with losing their freedom. If you have questions or would like to consult with our defense lawyers, call our offices today at 713-228-4607.
Understanding Fraud Charges & Texas Law
Jail Time and Penalties if Convicted
Fraud charges in Texas carry a wide range of potential penalties for individuals adjudged as guilty in the court of law. The criminal penalties imposed are determined by the nature & value of the fraud.
- For example, a check forgery case is a state jail felony, however, stealing or receiving a check that was stolen can be a misdemeanor in some cases.
- In another example, credit card fraud can either be classified as a State Jail Felony or a First Degree Felony. 1st Degree Felony convictions carry a potential punishment of up to 99 years incarceration with TDCJ.
The punishment for credit fraud depends on the amount of money stolen or defrauded, and the number of instances the crime occurred, as well as the number of victims affected, and other factors.
Identity Theft Cases – Jail Time & Fines
Potential criminal penalties for people convicted of fraud related to identity theft in the State of Texas are listed in the table below.
| COUNTS | CLASSIFICATION | SENTENCING | FINE |
|---|---|---|---|
| LESS THAN 5 | STATE JAIL FELONY | 180D – 2YR STATE JAIL | UP TO $10K |
| 5 TO 10 | 3RD DEGREE FELONY | 2-10YR TDCJ | UP TO $10K |
| 10 TO 50 | 2ND DEGREE FELONY | 2-20YR TDCJ | UP TO $10K |
| 50+ COUNTS | 1ST DEGREE FELONY | 5-99YR TDCJ | UP TO $10K |
(Court ordered restitution to victims, including replacing lost income, and other expenses related to your crime, would be considered an additional penalty added to any jail time or fines levied by the criminal justice system.)
Our main objective is to find the best possible outcome for your situation and protect your Constitutional Rights.
Jack B. Carroll, Houston Criminal Defense Attorney
A Fraud Conviction may not Result in a Jail Sentence
Houston Criminal Attorney Jack B. Carroll may be able to help a defendant avoid jail time since most fraud-related criminal offenses in Houston are misdemeanor cases. Avoiding jail for fraud is also possible if the amount of value obtained by trickery didn’t involve large amounts of money or if the offender didn’t have a criminal history.
A Guilty Finding of Fraud Will Affect Career Options
A conviction for a crime related to fraud will limit your career options. This could result in an insurmountable challenge when seeking to obtain employment, or explore a career in the following areas;
- Management positions,
- Admittance to higher learning institutions,
- Jobs involving the handling or money,
- careers involving valuable merchandise,
- Careers involving finance, or access to private personal information,
- Careers in the medical field, or employment opportunities involving access to sensitive information, technology, or goods.
Jack B. Carroll is also one of the few criminal defense lawyers in Houston who is experienced with sealing criminal records, securing criminal record expungement, expunction, and obtaining certificates of non-disclosure.
Working with Houston attorney Jack B. Carroll, one of the most respected criminal lawyers in Houston, will guarantee a well thought-out, aggressive defense for any allegations of fraud by the State of Texas. The State of Texas has to prove the following in any fraud cases brought before jurors in criminal court;
- You obtained good, monies, or services as a result of the fraud,
- You made the purchase (if applicable),
- You are the person who signed for the merchandise (if applicable),
- The state has to prove criminal intent,
- and The State of Texas has to prove that the defendant committed the offense.
While not limited to the above listed, the State of Texas must furnish irrefutable evidence to back any allegations made against the accused when facing Houston Criminal Attorney Jack B. Carroll in court. Jack B. Carroll, a Board Certified® criminal defense attorney, will challenge witness testimony, evidentiary documents, signatures, and accusations of criminal intent on behalf of the defendant.
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If you were accused of a crime and looking for help, don’t hesitate to contact my office or text me directly at (713) 228-4607.
If you need to consult an experienced defense lawyer about your case, call Jack B. Carroll & Associates today at 713-228-4607 or visit 1419 Franklin Street in Downtown Houston.