Wire Fraud Defense Attorneys in Detroit, Michigan 

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. 

If you are under investigation for wire fraud, or if you are facing charges, our firm can help defend your rights and fight to avoid conviction. 

Our firm serves Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, and Washetnaw Counties. To schedule a consultation call (313) 513-6533 or contact us online. 

Hire an Attorney for Wire Fraud Charges

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, our Detroit wire fraud defense attorneys can help you:

• Understand what a federal target letter means for you. If you have received one of these notices, we can help you to successfully fulfill its requests while building your defense. 
• Manage any evidence you might have. It is easy to mishandle evidence. Our 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. We 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. Our lawyers can help you identify and prevent things such as illegal searches and seizures or self-incrimination. 

What the Prosecution Needs for a Wire Fraud Conviction

According to the law, the prosecution must be able to do the following three things to convict a defendant on wire fraud charges:

1. Demonstrate that the defendant participated in a deliberate plan to propagate fraudulent representations
2. Prove that the defendant knowingly and willingly participated in the plan 
3. 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. 

We Offer Individualized Defense

At LaRene & Kriger, our wire fraud defense attorneys in Detroit focus on providing quality representation. What this means is that when clients come to us to defend them against charges or for help during an investigation, we 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. We can work to undermine these claims and show, as is often the case, that our 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, we can argue that our clients did not knowingly mislead their audience or a consumer 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, we 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. To get the help of our firm and our more than 100 years of combined experience, contact us to schedule a consultation. Although the consequences of wire fraud are serious, having our representation can give you confidence. 

Call (313) 513-6533 today or contact us online.