Fraud in Bellevue

Accusations of fraud arise from complex circumstances. Law enforcement often misinterprets your actions, and suddenly, all of your intentions come into question. You might feel blindsided, wondering how things escalated to this point, and scared of what comes next and the fallout from a potential conviction. It's easy to feel overwhelmed in these moments. But we're here to help.

Our fraud defense attorneys have been helping your neighbors for over 20 years. With knowledge of Washington state law, we know how misunderstandings and mistakes can escalate to fraud charges. Count on us to successfully fight fraud charges at King County Courts.

What Our Criminal Defense Attorneys Do

As criminal defense attorneys based in Bellevue, we specialize in protecting the rights of Washingtonians accused of fraud. We make sure you receive fair treatment under the law. Here's what we offer all our clients:

• Legal Knowledge: We start by thoroughly assessing the details of the case, reviewing evidence, and understanding the circumstances surrounding the charges. With our extensive legal knowledge, we can identify any weaknesses in the King County prosecution's case.
• Strong Negotiating Skills: We negotiate with prosecutors to reduce charges, lessen penalties, or sometimes even dismiss cases, depending on the strength of the evidence and the specific circumstances of the case.
• Representation In King County Courts: If a case goes to trial, we represent our clients in court, arguing on their behalf and challenging the prosecution's evidence. We prepare opening and closing statements, cross-examine witnesses, and present a robust defense to the jury.
• Legal Protection: Throughout the legal process, we protect your Constitutional rights. We'll guard against unlawful police procedures and ensure fair treatment within the justice system.

Our Bellevue attorneys specializing in fraud keep our clients informed at every step of the process. We provide legal support against fraud charges.

What Is Considered Fraud Under Washington State Law?

In Washington state, fraud is broadly defined as the intentional deception or misrepresentation made by one party to another to persuade the other to part with something of value or to surrender a legal right. Here are the different types of fraud in Washington:

• Forgery: Washington state law makes it illegal to falsely make, complete, or alter a written instrument or to possess, offer, or dispose of a written instrument, knowing it to be a forgery.
• Criminal Impersonation: Under this state law, it is a crime to assume a fake identity to defraud someone else, which could include obtaining money or property by deception.
• Washington's Electronic Mail Act: Often used in cases of email fraud, this law makes it illegal to send electronic messages that use false or misleading information to deceive recipients, typically used in phishing scams.
• Obtaining A Signature By Deception: This statute covers fraud involving the acquisition of signatures through deceptive means, which is often relevant in contractual fraud.
• Consumer Protection Act: The Consumer Protection Act prohibits deceptive practices in commerce, including false advertising, misrepresentations, and other deceitful business practices that can mislead consumers.

Washington state laws provide a framework for prosecuting various forms of fraudulent activities. However, our defense attorneys in Bellevue can easily challenge these charges.

How Do You Defend Against Charges Of Fraud?

Here are some common defenses against fraud charges that we will explore for your King County case:

• Lack Of Intent: Fraud requires intentional deception. If we can demonstrate that any misrepresentation was due to a mistake, misunderstanding, or negligence rather than deliberate intent to defraud, we can challenge this key element of the offense.
• Insufficient Evidence: We scrutinize the prosecution's case to ensure they have met the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. The process may involve challenging the reliability or sufficiency of evidence related to false statements, deceptive actions, or intent.
• Right To Rely On Statements: If allegations involve false statements that another party relied upon, we may argue that the statements were obviously exaggerated or that the other party had ample opportunity to verify them and, therefore, should not have relied on them.
• Entrapment: In cases where law enforcement may have induced the commission of a fraudulent act, we can argue entrapment, demonstrating that you had no prior intention of committing fraud.
• Withdrawal And Renunciation: If you withdrew from a fraudulent scheme and attempted to prevent it before it occurred, we can present this defense by showing effective disengagement and efforts to undo the consequences.
• Good Faith: We may argue that you acted in good faith, believing your statements or representations were true at the time. Demonstrating a genuine belief in the truthfulness of the disputed statements can counter claims of fraudulent intent.

Each of these defenses would need to be tailored to the specific circumstances of the fraud allegation and backed by credible evidence and testimony to be effective in court.

Contact Our Local Bellevue Fraud Defense Attorneys For A Free Consultation

Our Bellevue criminal defense attorneys are always here to help. From Downtown Bellevue to the Crossroads neighborhood, we're familiar with the streets, communities, and people that make this area special. We've defended clients from neighborhoods of Factoria and Lake Hills, as well as quieter residential areas like Somerset and Cougar Mountain. Being part of this community means we're also familiar with King County's legal infrastructure, giving us an edge in handling cases.

While fraud charges are serious, they're not insurmountable. We believe every case has a defense, and with the right strategy, you can challenge even the toughest allegations. Our experienced fraud defense attorneys have been protecting clients' rights throughout Bellevue and Western Washington for decades. Whether it's accusations of forgery, embezzlement, or identity theft, we know how to dissect the evidence, identify weaknesses in the prosecution's case, and fight for a positive outcome. Our team is aggressive when necessary and strategic at every step. Contact our Bellevue law offices now for a free consultation and learn how we'll defend you.

Our Bellevue Fraud Attorneys Can Help You Understand The Law

In Washington, the crime of fraud is defined as distorting the truth in an attempt to convince someone else to give up something of value. In Bellevue, fraud may be perpetrated in a variety of ways, including:

• Tax fraud
• Bank fraud
• Embezzlement
• Money laundering
• Credit card fraud

If you've been charged with fraud in Bellevue, minimizing the devastating effects of a conviction should be your top priority. The Bellevue fraud lawyers at the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe can help, so contact us today and start getting information about the law.

Judicial sentences handed down from the court in fraud cases vary from one situation to the next. Your role in the crime and the value of the money, goods, or services in question will all be taken into account. Previous criminal convictions will also be added to the equation, and could make your punishments even more severe. There are a number of other factors the court may consider when prosecuting a Bellevue fraud crime, so it's vital that you understand how the law applies to your case.

Our Bellevue fraud attorneys will work tirelessly in an effort to have your charges dismissed, but the outcome may depend on the specific details of your arrest. In Bellevue, punishments for fraud cases are swift and severe, so contact a professional lawyer for guidance as you deal with the authorities and the court.

Before speaking with anyone in law enforcement, consult with an experienced Bellevue lawyer who will prevent you from saying anything that could be construed as incriminating. Our experienced attorneys will handle your Bellevue fraud case with seriousness and discretion, aggressively defending your legal rights as we seek to have your punishments minimized.

Retain One Of Our Bellevue Fraud Lawyers Today

You need to address fraud charges as quickly as possible because our attorneys need time to conduct a thorough investigation of your case. Washington State criminal law guarantees your legal rights, so our Bellevue fraud attorneys defend them every step of the way. Your Bellevue lawyer will conduct an in-depth investigation of your criminal fraud case, fully examining all of the evidence against you to determine whether it was lawfully obtained.

A fraud arrest in Bellevue is not only embarrassing, it may even affect the lives of everyone in your family. Our Bellevue fraud lawyers understand that resolving your case quickly is important to you, so we will aggressively pursue any legal options that are available, including plea agreements. If we can't have your Bellevue fraud charges dismissed, we will work hard to mitigate your penalties, and fight to keep you out of jail.

By offering flexible payment options, everyone can afford a professional fraud attorney, so schedule your free case evaluation today and let our experienced attorneys help you deal with Bellevue fraud charges.