Washington Fraud Attorney
Have you been charged with Fraud in Washington? Find out what you need to do next.
In Washington, if you are being prosecuted for fraud, you could be facing a variety of penalties. Penalties including jail time, a permanent record, and hefty fines. It can be stressful and scary to have criminal charges pending. You need someone on your side to help you navigate the system. Do not let one mistake or blemish on your record effect you for the rest of your life. A charge of fraud can have impacts on your current job, or even your ability to rent an apartment. Let Weber Law help you keep your record clean.
Washington Fraud Charges and Penalties
What is Fraud?
There are different elements to the crime of fraud. Some aspects include but are not limited to forgery and criminal impersonation.
A person is guilty of forgery if, with intent to injure or defraud he or she: (1) falsely makes, completes, or alters a written instrument; or he or she possesses, utters, offers, disposes of, or puts off as true a written instrument which he or she knows to be forged.
A person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the first degree when he or she assumes a false identity and does an act in his or her assumed character with intent to defraud another or for any other unlawful purpose, or pretends to be a representative of some person, organization, or public servant and does an act in his or her pretended capacity with intent to defraud another or for any other unlawful purpose.
A person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the second degree if the person claims to be a law enforcement officer or creates an impression that he or she is a law enforcement officer, and does an act with intent to convey the impression that he or she is acting in an official capacity such that a reasonable person would believe the person is a law enforcement officer. When a person falsely assumes the identity of a veteran or active-duty member of the armed forces of the United States with intent to defraud for the purpose of personal gain or to facilitate any unlawful activity, that person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the second degree also.
Fraud can be a confusing and difficult charge to fight alone. Let Weber Law navigate it for you. There are sometimes instances where a judge can make discretionary sentences, it is important to have legal counsel that can advocate for you in that instance.
What is the Punishment for Fraud Offenses?
Forgery and criminal impersonation in the first degree are class C felonies.
Criminal impersonation in the second degree is a gross misdemeanor.
A class C felony is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years, a fine of up to $10,000.00, or both.
A gross misdemeanor is punishable by imprisonment for up to 364 days, or a fine of up to $5,000.00, or both.
As the sentence can range so widely, it is important to have knowledgeable legal counsel that can fight for the lowest sentence possible. It is possible to get a sentence reduction, but it requires good legal counsel.
Even as a Defendant of a Crime, you still have Rights! Make sure yours were not violated!
Even as an individual facing criminal charges, you have rights. It is important to know those rights and make sure that they were not violated in any way when you were arrested or charged. Without extensive knowledge of your rights when it comes to police searches, Miranda rights, and your rights when it comes to arrest, it is extremely difficult to get a dismissal or reduction of your charges. Do not try and fight these charges on your own, Weber Law is ready to help you today.
Contact Weber Law immediately if you’ve been arrested on a fraud charge. We offer a free confidential case evaluation – serving Seattle and the surrounding areas.
"He did everything he could to solve my case. There was no moment where I felt like I was alone. He went to his full extent to help me lower my charges. Great lawyer.”
How can you fight a Fraud charge and how can Weber Law help you?
If you are being prosecuted for fraud in Washington, no matter the circumstances, there are a few ways that Weber Law can fight for you. There are defenses against the crime of fraud, which include things such as a simple mistake of information. Weber Law can help lower the charge to a lesser crime, lower your sentence for less jail time, lower your fine amount, or represent you at trial. Do not face these charges alone. Let Weber Law work for you. By looking at potential evidence such as video surveillance, your criminal record, and potential eyewitness testimony, Weber Law will make sure to look at all the details of your case. At Weber Law, we are experienced in defending these charges, winning these cases, and creating an outcome you can be happy with. An outcome that will allow you to live a life free of a criminal charge. Being convicted of fraud can have impacts on the rest of your life. Let Weber Law help you navigate the criminal justice system. The court room can be a very intimidating place. Let Weber Law do the work for you. If you or anyone you know are being prosecuted for fraud, call Weber Law today for a consultation.
WA ST § 9A.60.020, Forgery
WA ST § 9A.20.021, Maximum sentences for crimes committed July 1, 1984, and after
WA ST § 9A.60.010, Definitions
WA ST § 9A.60.040, Criminal impersonation in the first degree
A Seattle, Washington Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help You
Weber Law will aggressively fight for your rights. Contact us today!
We believe that justice is an idea that can triumph only when living people make it so. We are dedicated to justice. We wish to run a business that is at once profitable while allowing us to promote the rights of our fellow community members. We will stand for the poor when they are in need and their cause is just. We will work for any responsible business. We will represent all races, creeds, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, and backgrounds.
Office Address:
810 3rd Avenue Suite 120, Seattle, WA 98104