Being arrested in Florida for a fraud crime carries serious penalties. Because these charges can adversely affect your life, getting help is urgent.

Understanding fraud

Fraud can take on many different forms. However, the one thing they all have in common is that they are crimes that include certain elements. The first involves unlawfully obtaining or trying to obtain a certain benefit. That benefit is obtained through lies, deception or deliberate misrepresentation.

When a person commits a fraud crime, they have a specific intent to cheat or deceive the victim. In a case involving fraud, the prosecution is required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that all of these elements are in place and that the victim took the defendant’s misrepresentations seriously.

Types of fraud crimes

There are many different types of fraud crimes. Some of the most widespread are wire fraud, mail fraud, credit card fraud, forgery and computer fraud. Although these and other types of these crimes may be carried out differently, the act of deceiving the victim for a benefit is always the main intention.

Penalties for fraud

Depending on the nature of the crime and the specific type of fraud committed, the offense can be classified as either a misdemeanor or felony. Some fraud crimes may only result in the defendant being ordered to pay fines while others carry significant prison sentences. For example, a mail fraud conviction carries up to 20 years in prison.

For a misdemeanor, some of these crimes might result in up to one year in jail. Probation may also be handed down to a first-time offender or a minor. Depending on the nature of the crime, some convictions result in restitution being ordered to be paid to the victim.