Austin Fraud Attorney

Criminal fraud covers a wide range of illegal activities. In general, fraud occurs when someone uses deception to cause another person to act in such as way that benefits the deceiver and causes legal injury to the person being deceived.  Fraud is most commonly used to deprive a person of property—either tangible, such as real estate or personal valuables, or intangible, such as stocks or bonds.

Fraud is difficult to prove in court. For a defendant to be found guilty of fraud, it must be proven that:

• The defendant made false statements, either by making untrue assertions or by failing to provide information that he or she had a duty to disclose.
• The defendant was aware that the false statements were untrue.
• The defendant intended to use the deception to deprive the victim of a legal right.
• The victim had good reason to rely on the defendant’s false information.
• The deception caused the victim injury.

Common types of fraud

Here are some of the most common types of fraud that Austin state defense lawyer Bill White can assist you with:

• Health insurance fraud is the act of intentionally misrepresenting or concealing information that results in health benefits being paid to persons who are not entitled to them. Health insurance fraud may be committed by individuals who misrepresent their own or their dependents’ insurance eligibility, or by health care providers who file fraudulent insurance claims, bill for services not rendered, or perform treatments that are outside their scope of practice. In Texas, a charge for insurance fraud can lead to a felony conviction and a prison sentence.

• Benefit fraud is misrepresenting or concealing information in order to obtain government benefits that one is not entitled to. A conviction for benefit fraud in a criminal court can result in fines and imprisonment as prescribed in the Texas Penal Code.

• Embezzlement is the act of stealing money or other assets by the person(s) to whom they have been entrusted. Penalties for embezzlement can include a significant fine, restitution, and a prison sentence.

• Identity fraud involves using the identity of another person (or of a non-existent person) for personal gain, or to commit other illegal activities. In many cases identity fraud also involves identity theft, which is the act of obtaining another person’s identifying information without that person’s knowledge or consent. In Texas, identity fraud is a felony.

• Tax fraud is the act of illegally avoiding taxes by misrepresenting income, profits, or gains; or by overstating deductions. Most cases of tax fraud are prosecuted as felonies under federal law.

• Securities fraud consists of deceptive practices that induce investors to make stock purchases or sales based on false information, such as misstatements in a public company's financial reports. It can also include Ponzi schemes, pump-and-dump schemes, or insider trading. Penalties can include fines and imprisonment.

If you have been accused of fraud in Georgetown, Texas, a criminal attorney can help you to avoid missteps that may result in your falsely incriminating yourself.

 

Georgetown Texas criminal defense

A person who is being investigated for fraud may not even realize that he or she is a suspect. Unusual activity—such as conversations behind closed doors, document requests, or inquiries directed to your co-workers, employees, or friends—may be an indication that you are a target of a fraud investigation and possible prosecution. Early intervention by a Georgetown, Texas, a criminal defense lawyer who specializes in Austin White Collar criminal defense can help to prevent matters from escalating without your knowledge.

 

Contact an experienced Georgetown Texas criminal defense lawyer

If you have been accused of fraud in Austin or Georgetown, your choice of a Texas attorney to defend you is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Georgetown Texas criminal defense attorney Bill White has the experience and resources to provide you with the best possible defense. Bill White has practiced for 30 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney in Austin, Georgetown, and Williamson County, Texas, in both state and federal courts. Contact Austin fraud lawyer Bill White to discuss your case.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1307 West Avenue   Austin, Texas 78701   Phone: 512-476-1494
  Bill White Blackberry: 512-698-1153   Fax: 512-476-8050  
Email: billwhite@billwhitecriminallaw.com