Arizona White Collar Crimes Attorney
When it comes to defending against charges related to white collar crimes in Arizona, DwaneCates.Com, PLLC stands as a beacon of experience and legal expertise. Our firm has a strong history of successfully representing clients in cases involving various white collar offenses. If you or a loved one is facing charges related to white collar crimes, it’s essential to have a dedicated Arizona Criminal Defense Attorney with the right experience by your side.
If you or a loved one is charged with a white collar crime in Arizona, remember that you don’t have to face the legal process alone. Contact Dwane Cates, PLLC today for a consultation. Our firm is committed to providing top-notch legal representation, protecting your rights, and striving for the best possible outcome in your case. Trust us to be your advocates during this challenging time.
In the state of Arizona, the legal framework addressing credit card fraud is outlined in ARS § 13.2105. According to this statute, an individual is deemed to have committed fraudulent use of a credit card if, with the intention to deceive:
- They employ a credit card or credit card number that they know to be counterfeit, expired, invalidated, or revoked to obtain something of value; or
- They make an effort to acquire something of value by falsely representing themselves as the legitimate owner of the credit card.
Engaging in fraudulent use of a credit card within Scottsdale is categorized as a class 1 misdemeanor. However, if the total value of the goods sought to be obtained, or successfully obtained, amounts to $250 or more but remains below $1000 over any consecutive six-month period, the offense escalates to a class 6 felony. This level of felony carries a potential prison sentence ranging from 0.5 to 4.5 years. In cases where the total value of all goods sought or acquired within any consecutive six-month period exceeds $1000, the offense is classified as a class 5 felony, subjecting the offender to a prison term spanning from 0.5 to 6 years.
Importantly, it’s crucial to note that you can be charged with this offense even if you personally do not use the credit card. For instance, if you are in possession of a credit card and a friend uses it to make a purchase on your behalf, you may still be held liable and face charges.
Our firm has handled numerous white collar crime cases, providing effective defense strategies tailored to the unique circumstances of each case. We understand the complexities of Arizona’s white collar crime laws and will vigorously advocate for your rights.
Identity theft manifests in various forms and is unfortunately prevalent in the state of Arizona. Among the prevalent forms of this offense in Arizona are acts related to employers and credit card fraud. As defined by ARS § 13.2008, identity theft occurs when:
- An individual knowingly acquires, purchases, manufactures, records, possesses, or utilizes someone else’s personal identifying information without their consent, with the intent to employ that person’s identity for unlawful purposes or to cause harm to them.
- An individual knowingly accepts personal identifying information from another individual who is not the actual person associated with that information.
Instances of this offense can take various forms. For example, it includes using someone else’s name for any purpose, adopting their identity to make unauthorized purchases or obtain services using their favorable credit history, exploiting another person’s insurance information to receive medical treatment, or misusing a business’s identity to secure credit.
In Arizona, assuming another person’s identity or knowingly accepting it constitutes a class 4 felony, carrying potential penalties ranging from 1.5 to 12 years of incarceration and fines of up to $150,000. If the offense results in harm to five or more individuals or leads to a loss exceeding $3,000, it escalates to “aggravated identity theft,” reclassified as a class 3 felony.
Our firm has handled numerous white collar crime cases, providing effective defense strategies tailored to the unique circumstances of each case. We understand the complexities of Arizona’s white collar crime laws and will vigorously advocate for your rights.
Fraudulent schemes occur when:
An individual knowingly acquires any advantage through false or deceptive means as part of a plan to deprive another person of their intangible right to honest services.
Instances of fraudulent schemes encompass a wide range of actions, including but not limited to activities such as blackmail, bribery, bank fraud, extortion, embezzlement, investment schemes, and insurance fraud.
A first-time conviction for fraudulent schemes can result in a class 2 felony, carrying a presumptive prison sentence ranging from 3 to 12.5 years. If the individual has a previous conviction, the presumptive sentence increases to a range of 4.5 to 23 years in prison. For those with two prior convictions, it is presumed that the prison term will fall within the range of 10.5 to 35 years.
Moreover, if the benefit received by the defendant from committing the offense is valued at $100,000 or more, probation becomes an unavailable option, and the entirety of the prison term must be served.
Our firm has handled numerous white collar crime cases, providing effective defense strategies tailored to the unique circumstances of each case. We understand the complexities of Arizona’s white collar crime laws and will vigorously advocate for your rights.
Forgery is committed when a person purposely defrauds someone by falsely making, completing, or altering a written instrument. Forgery is also committed when a person knowingly possesses a forged written instrument or offers a forged instrument that contains false information.
Instruments that are commonly forged include:
- Checks
- Money Orders
- Deeds
- Titles
- Bonds
- Currency
- Corporate Documents
In addition, the possession of five or more forged instruments may give rise to an inference that the instruments are possessed with an intent to defraud. This means that just having the documents may be incriminating enough to have criminal charges brought upon you.
Forgery is a class 4 felony in Arizona which has a presumptive sentence of between 1.5 and 12 years in prison and fines of no less than $750. If the forged instrument is used in connection with the purchase, lease or renting of a dwelling that is used as a drop house, it is then likely to be moved to a Class 3 felony, bringing with it a presumptive sentence of 2.5 to 20 years in prison.
Our firm has handled numerous white collar crime cases, providing effective defense strategies tailored to the unique circumstances of each case. We understand the complexities of Arizona’s white collar crime laws and will vigorously advocate for your rights.