Identity Theft crimes are serious offenses that could result in time spent in prison and steep fines if convicted. While the thought of losing your freedom is daunting, an Oklahoma City fraud defense attorney from Josh Lee & Associates can defend you and help you get your charges reduced or dismissed. We advocate for you so you can benefit from experienced legal support.
Three Reasons to Hire Josh Lee & Associates
- Josh Lee & Associates has more than 20 years of experience handling a variety of legal cases
- We fight for you and your rights when you need an advocate the most
- We have a history of success in securing better outcomes for our clients
What Constitutes Identity Theft
According to Oklahoma Statute § 21-1533.1, identity theft is defined as unlawfully using another person’s name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver’s license number, employment information, or financial information as one’s own. Identity theft also involves using or selling another person’s information, whether living or dead, for personal gain. Additionally, using another person’s information to impersonate them in an attempt to secure various benefits also constitutes identity theft.
Intent is a Key Component in Identity Theft Cases
If you are charged with identity theft, it is important to know what to do if you are under investigation for fraud and how prosecutors try these cases. The basis of identity theft cases is intent. This means that an intention to steal a person’s identity and commit a crime is the crux of a case. Prosecutors often collect evidence to demonstrate this factor in your case.
Given the important role intent plays in an identity theft case, this means that we can argue a lack of intent in your case as a possible defense. Our firm can also work to challenge the evidence against you and leverage weaknesses in the prosecution’s case to help you secure a better outcome. We also advocate for your rights, especially if the prosecution’s evidence was gained illegally, tampered with, or did not follow the proper chain of custody.
Penalties in Identity Theft Cases
Identity theft is generally considered a felony offense. If you are convicted of this crime, you could face 1-5 years in prison and fines of up to $100,000. Additionally, victims of identity theft could also file civil charges on top of the criminal charges you are facing. This means that you could also be required to compensate victims for the losses they suffered. To understand your options and get a more favorable outcome, communicate openly with your defense lawyer throughout your case.
Hire Josh Lee & Associates to Ensure You Have a Strong Defense
Josh Lee & Associates builds strong defenses for our clients. We carefully assess the charges against you and the details of your case to strategically hone our approaches so they are effective for your situation. When you are facing prison time and other penalties, we fiercely fight for you every step of the way. Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with our attorneys.
