Assertive Criminal Defense From Our Detroit Wire Fraud Lawyers
Serious felony charges demand a high-caliber defense. Time after time, LaRene & Kriger PLC has prevailed in some of the biggest criminal cases in Detroit, Wayne County and Southeast Michigan. The Detroit criminal defense attorneys at LaRene & Kriger PLC understand what’s at stake. In such a frightening time, you can put your trust in their long track record of trial and appellate success.
What Is Wire Fraud?
Wire fraud charges allege that the defendant engaged in fraudulent activity using a form of telecommunication or information technology. Considering how immensely varied physical and digital communication are, there are many violations that can result in wire fraud charges.
Wire fraud is a federal crime that carries severe penalties. The consequences for charges include a maximum of 30 years in prison and up to $1,000,000 in fines. It is important to note that each instance of fraud can be charged separately, which means the penalties for fraud can quickly compound. Additionally, there are other contingencies that increase the severity of the charges, such as sending fraudulent advertisements to victims of a natural disaster.
The Importance Of Hiring A Detroit Wire Fraud Attorney
For individuals who have been formally charged with wire fraud or who have received a target letter indicating they are under investigation, the most important thing to do is contact an attorney. Having representation from the outset of your case can help you navigate its complexities and mitigate its impact. Specifically, the Detroit wire fraud defense attorneys at LaRene & Kriger PLC can help you:
- Understand what a federal target letter means for you. If you have received one of these notices, LaRene & Kriger PLC can help you to fulfill its requests while building your defense successfully.
- Manage any evidence you might have. It is easy to mishandle evidence. The attorneys can help you produce and strategically use the documents and other information that your case requires.
- Engage in conversations with anyone else who might have been involved. Wire fraud cases often feature multiple parties, which means you may have to discuss aspects of the case with someone else or testify about the participation of other parties. The attorneys at LaRene & Kriger PLC can provide representation throughout these discussions and counsel you before any necessary testimonies.
- Preserve your rights. Throughout an investigation or trial, you are entitled to multiple protections.
Detroit criminal defense lawyers can help you identify and prevent illegal searches and seizures or self-incrimination.
How Does Michigan Handle Wire Fraud Cases?
According to the law, the prosecution must be able to do the following three things to convict a defendant on wire fraud charges:
- Demonstrate that the defendant participated in a deliberate plan to propagate fraudulent representations
- Prove that the defendant knowingly and willingly participated in the plan
- Show that the plan specifically used mail or “wire” communication methods
On top of these three provisions, there are a few important things to consider. First, the prosecution does not have to provide evidence that the information in the wire communications were fraudulent specifically. Instead, the mere use of them can result in charges. Also, the fraud does not necessarily have to be successful for a defendant to be convicted. An attempt at wire fraud is enough.
Our Individualized Defense Strategies
Our Detroit wire fraud lawyers focus on providing quality representation. What this means is that when clients come to the firm to defend them against charges or for help during an investigation, the attorneys work directly with them to develop a tailored strategy and provide counsel that can be crucial in their case.
For wire fraud, defense strategies can include:
- Disproving the prosecution’s case that a defendant intended to participate in an alleged scheme. This is difficult to substantiate, as it requires producing evidence that illustrates the defendant’s intent. LaRene & Kriger PLC can work to undermine these claims and show, as is often the case, that their client was unaware of the scheme and instead acted out of good faith.
- Arguing that advertisements exaggerated certain aspects of products or services through what is called “puffery.” These exaggerations are not always forms of fraud, even if the prosecution contends they are. In cases where it is pertinent, the firm can argue that the clients did not knowingly mislead their audience or consumers and were only trying to participate in successful marketing.
- Proving that the prosecution’s evidence falsely shows the use of wire communication. In situations when this happens, the attorneys can argue that this discrepancy undermines the legitimacy of the wire fraud allegations.
It is important to note that the features of wire fraud charges and defense strategies vary by case.
Consult A Detroit White Collar Crime Lawyer As Soon As Possible
To get the help of LaRene & Kriger PLC and more than 100 years of combined experience, contact them to schedule a consultation. Although the consequences of wire fraud are serious, having their representation can give you confidence. Call 313-765-8687 today or contact the firm online. LaRene & Kriger PLC serves Wayne, Oakland, Macomb and Washtenaw counties.