Fraud involves any scheme or action intended to deceive another person or entity for financial gain. This is a serious federal offense with far-reaching legal and personal implications if you are convicted.
If you are accused of fraud in Texas, it is important that you take appropriate steps to defend yourself. And depending on the circumstances of your case, here are some of the defense options you can consider if you are indicted and charged with fraud.
Lack of evidence
To be convicted of any crime, including fraud, there has to be evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that your actions met all the elements of fraud. Without evidence, you may petition the court to dismiss your case.
You were entrapped
Entrapment happens when someone in authority like law enforcement coerces or compels you to commit a crime that you would otherwise not.
Here are specific circumstances when your entrapment claim might hold:
- Law enforcement approached and introduced the idea of committing the fraud in question to you
- You were neither willing nor ready to commit the fraud in question
- Beyond introducing the idea, they went ahead and coerced or persuaded you to commit the fraud
In other words, you need to prove that the fraud in question was not only the police’s idea but that they also possibly used illegal tactics to facilitate it.
Protecting your rights
Fraud is a form of white-collar crime with severe legal repercussions if you are convicted. Learning more about federal criminal defense can help you protect your rights if you are charged with fraud.