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Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyers > Dunwoody Fraud Lawyer

Dunwoody Fraud Lawyer

Fraud comes in many forms in Georgia, which cover a multitude of actions designed to derive something of value through dishonest or deceitful means. Depending on the type of fraud and value of the money or goods acquired through fraudulent acts, the penalties associated with a fraud conviction can be severe. At Hawkins Spizman in Dunwoody, our experienced Dunwoody fraud lawyers understand the seriousness of fraud charges and will advocate on your behalf. To learn more about your legal options after a fraud charge, call or contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.

What are Fraud Crimes?

Fraud is an broad term that refers to many different types of criminal activity which involves deceit or dishonesty to obtain money or goods. Some of the most common types of fraud charges include the following:

  • Credit card fraud
  • Deceptive business practices
  • Deposit account fraud (writing bad checks)
  • Failure to pay for natural products or chattels
  • False reports of a crime
  • False representation as a veteran
  • Financial transaction card theft
  • Foreclosure fraud
  • Forgery
  • Giving a false name
  • Healthcare fraud
  • Identity fraud
  • Insurance fraud
  • Mortgage fraud, and more.

Georgia takes fraud crimes very seriously, and in many cases the state will prosecute these crimes to the fullest extent of the law. Depending on the circumstances of the case, federal charges may also be filed in addition to state charges. An experienced Georgia criminal defense attorney is your best chance of successfully fighting accusations of fraud.

Penalties for a Fraud Conviction

The penalties for a fraud conviction range in severity based on the type of fraud offense and the value of the property or money obtained through the alleged fraudulent actions. For minor fraud offenses, such as writing a bad check for less than $100, a conviction is a misdemeanor with penalties that can include a jail term up to one year, fines, and restitution. For more serious fraud crimes, like credit card fraud, penalties include a felony criminal record, up to three years in prison, and fines in the thousands of dollars. The most serious fraud crimes come with penalties up to fifteen years in prison and $250,000 in fines, among other consequences.

Fraud crimes are often seen as moral crimes, which can also substantially affect those convicted of these crimes in other ways. Personal and professional reputations are often destroyed, limiting a person’s ability to gain future employment, particularly in certain areas like finance or accounting. A criminal record also shows up on any background check for applications for employment, education, and housing. A knowledgeable criminal defense attorney will be able to advise you on what penalties you could face from a conviction for the fraud alleged in your case.

Call or Contact Our Office Now

Allegations of fraud should always be taken seriously, and you should speak with an experienced Georgia criminal defense attorney as soon as you suspect that a fraud investigation has occurred. To learn more about your legal options, call the office or contact us at Hawkins Spizman in Dunwoody today to schedule a free evaluation of your case.

Gun Crimes

Georgia takes gun crimes very seriously, and many people are surprised to find that even if they legally own a gun they can still be arrested and charged with gun crimes for certain acts. At Hawkins Spizman in Dunwoody, our experienced criminal defense attorneys are prepared to advocate for you if you are suspected of committing a gun crime in Georgia. Call or contact us to learn more.

Prohibited Guns and Other Weapons

Georgia law prohibits some types of guns and other weapons outright from being possessed by anyone in the state. Banned weapons include bazookas, hand grenades, mortars, rocket launchers, sawed-off shotguns and rifles, fully automatic machine guns, and silencers. Penalties for possession of these banned guns can include a felony criminal record and a prison sentence of up to five years.

Misdemeanor Gun Crimes

There are many misdemeanor offenses that a person can be charged with even if they legally own a firearm. While the law allows for a person to store a gun in their home, business, or car without a permit, taking the firearm off the property without the proper documentation can result in being arrested and charged with a crime if a gun is purchased, possessed, or used in a number of different ways. Some of the most common misdemeanor gun crimes include the following:

  • Carrying or concealing a gun in a government building, place of worship, healthcare facility, or polling location
  • Discharging a firearm within fifty yards of a public street or highway
  • Aiming a gun, either loaded or unloaded, at another person
  • Hunting without a valid license on someone else’s property

Penalties for a misdemeanor gun crime include up to one year in jail and thousands of dollars in fines and court costs. It may also result in the loss of gun rights for even a misdemeanor conviction.

Felony Gun Crimes

Other gun crimes in Georgia are considered felony offenses, which come with serious penalties if convicted. Possession of a firearm by a felon is considered a felony offense. Use of a gun during the commission of a crime is also considered a felony, which can be charged in addition to the crime itself. Soliciting a dealer to provide a firearm to someone else is a felony crime in Georgia, as is intentionally altering or editing documentation concerning the carrying of a firearm in the state.

Penalties for felony gun crimes in Georgia include prison sentences up to five years or more, fines in the thousands of dollars, and more. Someone convicted of a felony gun crime will have a permanent criminal record that will show up on every background check for jobs, housing, and school. A person convicted of a felony gun crime will lose their rights to possess a firearm for the rest of their life, along with restricted voting rights and other losses of freedom for the rest of their life. An experienced criminal defense attorney is your best chance of avoiding conviction for gun crimes in Georgia, and our office can help.

Call or Contact Our Office Now

Being charged with a gun crime in Georgia has the potential to seriously impact your rights and your freedom if convicted of an offense. To learn more about your legal options after being charged with a gun crime in the Dunwoody area, call or contact Hawkins Spizman to schedule a free consultation today.

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