Defending Against Wire Fraud Charges

Arrested? Call our Stuart white collar crime attorneys!

As a federal crime, wire fraud can bring serious consequences and repercussions. Individuals who are facing charges for this offense should not hesitate to retain counsel during this time. In many cases, wire fraud is paired with other serious white collar crime offenses, such as extortion or conspiracy. This makes it even more crucial that you have a trusted advocate by your side during this time.

At Jeff T. Gorman Law Offices, our team of Stuart white collar crime lawyers are more than prepared to defend you against such serious accusations. With extensive trial experience, client-centered service and a background in prosecution, we can bring invaluable insight and skill to your case.

We proudly serve clients in Martin, St. Lucie, and Palm Beach counties.
Call on our firm today to set up your free consultation.

What penalties does wire fraud carry?

If an individual uses any type of electronic communication to scheme or devise some type of fraudulent activity with the purposes of gaining money or property, they can be charged with wire fraud. These means could include email, text, phone calls, and even online chats. It is important to understand that each individual electronic communication can be considered a separate wire fraud count, increasing the penalties you face.

The general penalties that wire fraud can bring include:

• No more than 20 years in federal prison
• Up to 30 years in prison when it involves financial institutions
• Potential fines up to $1,000,000

Though the penalties for wire fraud are steep, individuals facing these charges are often up against additional charges and compounded penalties, making a strong and airtight defense all the more vital.

Employ a Strategic Defense in Your Case

Depending on the circumstances surrounding your wire fraud charges, there may be several defense options available in your case. For example, acting in good faith could be a viable defense in certain situations. If you did not have any intention of defrauding someone of property or money, you could be safe from prosecution. You would have to show that you were acting within the requirements imposed by Florida law, that you had no financial motive, or that you attempted to return the person’s property when you realized what happened.

Another common defense is that of constructive fraud. This occurs when fraud is not intentional, but happens out of reckless business conduct, such as failing to disclose important material fact. So long as contemplated loss was not involved, fraud charges may be avoided.

Puffing, or puffery, is another defense that may be used against wire fraud. This is more common in consumer fraud, as it often has to do with what a salesperson says to sell a product or item. The defense rests in the idea that the actions were simply exaggerative in nature, not fraudulent. Again, the defense you craft will also depend on the other offenses you have been accused of in conjunction to wire fraud, if any.

If you are ready to discuss your case with a seasoned criminal defense attorney in Stuart, fill out a free case evaluation on our website today.