West Palm Beach Bank Fraud Attorney
Let our federal criminal lawyers help you mount a potent defense
Have you been arrested and charged with bank fraud in West Palm Beach? If so, you could be facing serious legal challenges ahead, including the potential to spend decades in prison if convicted. Because of the seriousness of the situation, now is the time to turn to a West Palm Beach bank fraud attorney for guidance. Joffe Law, P.A. has been defending federal charges for 35 years, and he stands ready to help take on your tough case.
Penalties for bank fraud in West Palm Beach
Regardless of the circumstances of your case, penalties for bank fraud in West Palm Beach can be severe and lengthy. They can vary depending upon the amount of money involved, and other circumstances may change the nature of penalties. If you are convicted, you likely will face serious time in federal prison and hefty fines and fees.
Examples of penalties for bank fraud in Florida include:
- fine of up to $5,000 for felony bank fraud
- fine of up to $1,000,000 in federal cases
- up to 30 years in prison
Bank fraud is a federal crime in most cases. This is because the vast majority of banks are federally insured institutions. This status adds to the severity of penalties, and makes it all the more critical that you contact a West Palm Beach bank fraud lawyer to help mount a powerful defense on your behalf.
Do not say anything that might incriminate you. Speak with an attorney first.
What are Florida’s bank fraud laws?
Laws pertaining to bank fraud in West Palm Beach are wide and varied. Everything from depositing stolen money to forging checks in certain situations can be considered bank fraud in Florida, and some people find themselves accused of this crime due to unfortunate errors.
Attempts to deceptively utilize, withdraw, deposit or transfer funds at a banking institution can result in charges. In almost all cases, bank fraud is a third-degree felony in Florida, making the need for a comprehensive legal defense strategy all the more important.
Is bank fraud a cybercrime?
Because so much banking takes place in the digital realm these days, bank fraud can also be a cyber crime. This means that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) could become involved in your case in addition to Florida state investigators. To add to this, the United States Marshalls may also become involved in a bank fraud case in the event that a federal court issues a warrant.
These are very serious agencies that involve themselves in very serious criminal matters. You can’t take chances when dealing with agencies like the FBI or U.S. Marshalls, and you are strongly encouraged to seek out defensive legal counsel if your bank fraud case involves federal authorities.
Drug trafficking and prescription drug fraud
Bank fraud can also involve investigations pertaining to drug trafficking and fraud involving prescription drugs. The manufacture and distribution of controlled substances and illicit prescription drugs typically involves financial transactions
If funds from these transactions are deposited into, withdrawn from or transferred through a bank account, bank fraud charges may be added onto drug trafficking and prescription drug fraud charges. In such cases, it pays to have a legal defense partner in West Palm Beach who can provide representation and strategies to defend against both bank fraud and drug trafficking charges.
I completed bank transactions for work, now I’m charged
Embezzling money from a corporate bank account is another type of activity that is included under Florida’s bank fraud statutes. Many people charged with this type of crime find that they were carrying out their assigned duties at work, only to come to realize later on that perhaps a boss or coworker was involved in fraudulent activity.
This is why it’s crucial to consider your legal options, including partnering with a defense attorney, if you’ve been arrested. The law in Florida investigates intent and knowledge, so if you’re not guilty of committing bank fraud due to certain circumstances, your attorney can help to ensure that the facts of your case are brought to light in court.
Should I talk to investigators?
In virtually all cases, it is best to have your attorney present before speaking with investigators in a bank fraud case. Keep in mind that bank fraud investigators have one job – to make arrests that lead to convictions.
If you speak with investigators without your attorney present, you may find yourself intimidated into admitting to something you didn’t do. Even a slip of the tongue or an errant comment could land you behind bars facing serious time in prison.
Your defense attorney will be able to answer questions on your behalf to ensure that investigators and officers of the court are following the law. Additionally, your attorney can represent your interests in court to provide a legal defense strategy that speaks to the individual concerns of your case.
Schedule your consultation with a bank fraud attorney in West Palm Beach
There’s no question that bank fraud charges can involve a multitude of complex variables. Depending on the amount of money involved, a bank fraud case in Florida can become a seemingly never-ending onslaught of investigations, document requests, questions and interviews. All of this before your case even makes it to court.
If you’ve been arrested and charged with bank fraud in West Palm Beach, Joffe Law can give you peace of mind. Our team of experienced federal defense attorneys will work with the individual circumstances of your case, discuss defense strategies designed to clear your name and handle all of the hard work for you, both inside of court and out.
To schedule your confidential consultation with our West Palm Beach bank fraud legal defense team call (561) 800-0255. We’re available to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.