South Florida Federal Fraud Lawyer

Florida law criminalizes various forms of fraud at the state level and may prosecute certain offenses of this nature in state courts. However, a substantial number of fraud charges—particularly those involving schemes targeting multiple people and/or multiple acts over a long period of time—are prosecuted at the federal level. Needless to say, the federal government getting involved in your fraud case substantially increases the risk of you facing life-changing sanctions if you are convicted of violating United States law.

In a situation like this, support from a top federal defense attorney who has extensive experience handling federal cases like this in Fort Lauderdale can be absolutely vital. From initial investigations to the conclusion of your case in or out of court, a dedicated South Florida federal fraud lawyer will be a tenacious and irreplaceable ally. To discuss your case with a member of our award-winning legal team, contact Rossen Law Firm today.

When Does Fraud Become a Federal Crime?

As a rule of thumb, state law enforcement authorities and state courts generally handle instances of alleged fraud that occurred entirely within the borders of that state, occasionally with investigative assistance from certain federal agencies. However, you could be investigated, arrested, and prosecuted at the federal level if your case allegedly:

• Involved communication across state or international borders, whether it is over the phone, through the mail, via the Internet, or using any other form of communication
• Targeted a U.S. government agency or program—for example, Medicare
• Targeted a national or international financial institution like a bank
• Involved stocks, securities, or any other privileged financial information
• Involved computers used in interstate and/or international commerce, by the federal government, or by certain financial institutions

The expert criminal defense attorneys at Rossen Law Firm can provide further guidance about what might make fraud a federal offense during a private strategy session.

Contesting Federal Fraud Offenses in Fort Lauderdale

Federal fraud cases can proceed in very different ways depending on the exact federal statute you are charged under. 18 U.S. Code §1001 broadly criminalizes knowingly and intentionally making a materially false statement, falsifying or concealing a material fact, or making or using a materially false written document for personal gain. However, various more specific types of fraud—from health care fraud to mail fraud—are defined under different statutes and may have different criminal sanctions attached to them.

Regardless of exactly how it is defined or prosecuted, though, fighting back against a federal fraud charge in South Florida is often a matter of proving that one or more core elements of “fraud” as a criminal offense are not applicable to the situation. This is where we come in. Our knowledgeable federal fraud lawyers can build a strong defense tailored to your situation. For instance, if you had no knowledge that you were making a false statement, you have not committed criminal fraud, even if you intentionally made that statement and derived financial gain from making it.

A South Florida Federal Fraud Attorney Can Help

Fraud cases prosecuted at the federal level are almost always time-consuming, evidence-heavy, and immensely complex proceedings, made all the more challenging to handle proactively by the steep fines and prison terms that may be imposed upon you if convicted. Guidance from capable legal counsel can make all the difference in how every stage of this process goes for you.

If you have questions about your rights, legal options, and possible defense strategies, speaking with a Fort Lauderdale federal fraud lawyer at Rossen Law Firm should be your top priority. We are here to listen to your story, help you understand your options, and build a strategy to protect your rights and your future. To set up your free strategy session with a dedicated member of our team, give us a call today.