Organized Schemes to Defraud are serious criminal charges. Being under the watch of law enforcement is a difficult and scary time to navigate through. Your life can be seriously disrupted when under investigation or arrested for Organized Scheme to Defraud charges in South Florida. Our expert white collar defense attorneys are here to help.
white collar defense Guide
WHAT IS A FEDERAL ORGANIZED SCHEME TO DEFRAUD CRIME?
An Organized Scheme to Defraud crime is when one intentionally tries to defraud one or multiple people by giving them misinformation in order to acquire property from them without fulfilling their end of the bargain.
A “Scheme to defraud,” according to Florida Statute 817.034, means a systematic, ongoing course of conduct with intent to defraud one or more persons, or with intent to obtain property from one or more persons by false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises or willful misrepresentations of a future act.
CONSEQUENCES OF AN ORGANIZED SCHEME TO DEFRAUD IN SOUTH FLORIDA
It is crucial that you do not take an Organized Scheme to Defraud accusation lightly. If you are charged with an Organized Scheme to Defraud, the consequences can be hefty.
Here are examples of the range of possible charges and consequences:
- First-degree felony: If the value of the property was $50,000 or more
- Being convicted of a first-degree felony can result in 30 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
- This is a level 7 offense.
- Second-degree felony: If the value of the property was between $20,000 and $50,000.
- Being convicted of a second-degree felony can result in 15 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.
- This is a level 5 offense.
- Third-degree felony: If the value of the property was less than $20,000.
- Being convicted of a third-degree felony can result in 5 years in prison and fines of up to $5,000.
- This is a level 3 offense.
- Even if you did not actually obtain any property from another person, if you had the intention of defrauding someone, you can still be subject to consequences.
- If the value of the property you planned to obtain was over $300, you are looking at up to 5 years in prison.
- If the value of the property you planned to obtain was less than $300, you are looking at up to 12 months in jail or a fine of $1,000.
AN ORGANIZED SCHEME TO DEFRAUD ATTORNEY CAN HELP
The good thing is that you have options when you’re charged with an Organized Scheme to Defraud crime in Fort Lauderdale. We are experienced attorneys who know exactly how to prepare and defend you from your charges. We work our hardest to ensure that you will get the best possible outcome on your case.
Organized Scheme to Defraud Defense Strategies
- Lack of Intent: In order for you to be found guilty of an Organized Scheme to Defraud crime, the State must be able to prove that you intended to defraud the other party and purposely did not hold up your end of the bargain. We can argue that you did intend to provide them with the service you promised but were unable to do because of extenuating circumstances that did not allow you to complete the service.
- Statute of Limitations: The State cannot make a case against you for an Organized Scheme to Defraud if the crime was committed over 5 years ago. The State must act within a 5 year period in order to charge you for an Organized Scheme to Defraud.
Set Up Your Free Organized Scheme to Defraud Defense Strategy Session in Fort Lauderdale
We closely observe your specific situation to create a defense that is unique and personalized to your organized scheme to defraud crime. If you want attorneys who know exactly how to keep your rights intact, give us a call.
We offer FREE consultations (we call them strategy sessions) so you know how we’ll work to get the best possible result on your case for your organized scheme to defraud charges in South Florida. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment for a free consult.
HOW WE WIN FEDERAL & CRIMINAL DEFENSE CASES
- Rossen Law Firm helped a man avoid minimum prison time for a Federal Child Porn possession charge in South Florida.
- Rossen Law Firm gets Credit Card fraud case dropped in Boca Raton, Florida.
- A Mother & Son’s Insurance Fraud Charges Dropped in Fort Lauderdale.