If you’re being investigated for or have already been charged with bank fraud, you should speak with an experienced criminal attorney right away. Bank fraud is a serious crime punishable by prison and/or possibly a huge sum of money for restitution. What is bank fraud? It is a violation of the law by falsifying information at a financial institution or using a bank account to embezzle or steal monies from a bank. It is also considered bank fraud if you over-evaluate property or securities for the purpose of obtaining more monies than normally allowed. Bank fraud may also include false loan applications, the use of non-existent collateral to obtain a loan, or the misuse of borrowed funds.
Bank fraud is considered a white collar crime in most instances because it is often committed by those inside the bank, such as loan officers, tellers, currency traders, etc. It can also be committed by those outside the banking industry in the form of stolen checks, forgery, credit card fraud, identity theft, Internet fraud, etc.
In bank fraud cases, the United States Attorney’s Office will indict the accused, and this federal crime may be tried in certain state districts. Whether you are guilty or innocent of the bank fraud crime you’re being accused of, a criminal lawyer in your area that specializes in bank fraud can help you determine the best way to move forward in your case. Don’t walk this road alone; it’s too serious not to speak with an attorney. Here are some tips to help you find a dependable criminal defense lawyer.
Look for a Local Attorney
It’s important to be able to work with a local criminal defense attorney. You will likely have multiple meetings and will need to be able to visit your attorney whenever necessary to review new findings in your case. A local attorney knows about the local or district court systems, and can focus on your case – not on learning about local aspects of the courts. To find dependable local representation, search online using keywords specific to your area. Here are some key phrase examples: “Miami criminal lawyer,” “Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney,” “West Palm Beach criminal lawyer,” or “Miami criminal attorney.”
Interview Several Attorneys
It’s difficult to know which criminal attorney is right for you without interviewing several. Most lawyers offer a free consultation. This gives you an opportunity to get to know the lawyer, his style, his views on your case, and his experience with bank fraud. Lawyers tend to specialize in one or two areas of criminal law. You should also make sure there are no personality conflicts. You should be able to speak openly with your attorney without arguments or negative feelings.
Ask about past experiences with similar cases of bank fraud. Consider a criminal lawyer that has defended others in similar cases successfully. This is a big plus because he’s already experienced in this area and will be able to bring his past knowledge to the drawing table for your defense.
Credibility can be verified through referrals, an AV ranking (achieved only by a lawyer that’s been admitted to the bar for at least 10 years), and the Better Business Bureau. It’s important that you choose a criminal lawyer that’s absolutely trustworthy with credentials to back up his integrity.
Build Trust
Never lie to your criminal attorney. This will only negate your defense. If your lawyer can’t trust you, then certainly the judge will not trust you. It’s important to divulge all information to your attorney up front to avoid nasty surprises on your court day. If there’s information that could help you win the case that you need to verify, then by all means let your attorney know about it so he can help you obtain proper documentation to establish evidence in your defense. It’s important that the line of communication remain open at all times so your criminal attorney can give you the best defense possible.
Whatever crime you’ve been accused of, the right criminal attorney can help you find an appropriate direction to take. You need guidance in a time like this…allow your legal right to representation work for you and not against you. Whether you live in West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale, lawyers who are experienced in bank fraud cases are readily available to help you build a solid defense.
By: Chris Robertson
Posts Tagged ‘Criminal Lawyer’
Accused of Bank Fraud? Hire a Criminal Attorney to Help You Develop an Effective Defense Strategy
December 30th, 2009White Collar Crimes – When to Consult a Criminal Attorney
December 27th, 2009
White collar crime cases in Miami, Florida or nearby areas such as West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale often call for the services of a professional Miami criminal attorney. Attorneys are needed for a variety of reasons because legal cases – no matter how insignificant they may seem – can become complicated in a hurry. When they do, having a knowledgeable Miami criminal attorney on your side can make all the difference in your trial’s outcome.
What are White Collar Crimes?
These are crimes that are mostly related to financial matters. They include but are not limited to fraud, bribery, computer crimes, embezzlement, pension fund crimes, consumer fraud, bankruptcy fraud, securities fraud, occupational crimes, RICO crimes, identity theft, financial fraud, medical crimes, and forgery. White collar crimes often go undetected because they are usually committed using computers or paperwork; however, these crimes are punishable by law and may result in prison time or restitution if the defendant is found guilty.
Those who commit such crimes are often persons of a high social status. A criminal lawyer that specializes in white collar crimes will usually represent those whose reputation and integrity are at stake in the business or political realms. In Florida, there are Miami criminal lawyers who can represent white collar defendants on a state or federal level.
How can a Miami Criminal Attorney Help?
Whether you’re facing white collar crime charges or the charges have already been brought against you, a Miami criminal attorney can assist with a number of tasks. He/she can help you cope with the situation by offering viable advice and legal solutions. A criminal lawyer can help you build an effective defense strategy, and maybe even resolve the case before it ever goes to trial. A lawyer might be able to find alternatives to serving time in prison if possible with your particular case. Sometimes a plea agreement can be made in which you plead guilty to a lesser charge so the more serious charge will be dropped.
It’s a good idea to consult with a Miami criminal attorney before answering any questions brought forth by investigators. Keep in mind that anything you say can harm the case, even if it seems unimportant at the time.
Use online resources to find a reliable criminal attorney. The search engines will render results based on keywords or phrases you type. For example, if you need a lawyer in West Palm Beach, Florida, you might type in “West Palm Beach criminal lawyer.” To find a lawyer in Fort Lauderdale, type in “Fort Lauderdale criminal lawyer” or “Fort Lauderdale criminal attorney.” In the Miami area, you might type, “need a Miami criminal lawyer” or “hire Miami criminal attorney.” The key is to conduct specific searches based on your needs. You might type these phrases along with a word or two about your particular charges. An example would be “Miami criminal attorney for bribery” or something similar.
Don’t forget that white collar crime trials often lead to civil action lawsuits as well if victims are involved. You’ll want a criminal attorney that’s capable of handling any legal “curve balls” that come your way before, during and after the trial. The right Miami criminal lawyer can guide you to make the right decisions through the entire process.
By: Chris Robertson