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Building a Defense for Fraud Charges in California

Many employees have come home at the end of the day to find company property in their purse or briefcase. These are rarely cases of intentional stealing, as pens, pencils and even coffee mugs are tossed into bags without conscious thought. In this case, an employer could prosecute you for simple theft.

However, if your boss suspects you were stealing work supplies to sell them for your own gain, such as copiers or fax machines, he could prosecute you for fraud.

What’s the difference, you may ask? Theft and fraud are both offenses committed for gain, usually under concealment and without the use of physical force. However, a person may be charged with fraud if he committed a theft in which he has:

• Abused special skills or professional training
• Abused a position of public or private trust
• Abused personal and professional confidences within a lawful institution
• Abused job resources and informational access

Here are the most common types of fraud charges in Ventura:

• Bank Fraud
• Computer Fraud
• Credit Card Fraud
• Check Fraud
• Mail Fraud
• Insurance Fraud
• Sales Fraud
• Embezzlement
• Real Estate Fraud
• Pension Fraud

As trusted Ventura criminal defense lawyers, we know that people accused of fraud are often charged with multiple offenses. For instance, a person who has used access codes and passwords to transfer company funds into a personal account may be charged with bank fraud, computer fraud, and possible identity theft. Under California Law, there is a statute called the “white collar embellishment” which can add 2-5 years to your sentence if you are found guilty of at least two of the charges.

The attorneys at Bamieh & Erickson have experience defending those accused of white collar crime in California. We always fight for minimal sentencing if you are facing conviction and work to get your criminal records sealed. To learn more about your legal options, order our FREE Book, How to Hire a Lawyer in Santa Barbara County.

If someone in your family is facing embezzlement charges in Ventura County, call our offices today at (805) 643-5555 for a free consultation.

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