Fraud Attorney in Lake Charles

Accused of Fraud? Speak to a Lake Charles Attorney for Free

At Sudduth & Associates, LLC, we distinguish ourselves through a personalized approach, treating every client like family. Our focus on compassion, combined with our in-depth knowledge of Louisiana law, empowers us to represent clients with dedication and precision. 

We understand how challenging fraud charges can be and are here to support you every step of the way. Additionally, our legal team is equipped with extensive experience and diverse backgrounds, allowing us to provide insightful and strategic legal solutions tailored to each unique case. This multifaceted perspective ensures that we consider all angles of your situation to present the best possible defense.

Whether you're under investigation or already charged, an experienced Fraud Attorney in Lake Charles can make a difference. Call (337) 282-9003 or message us now to schedule a free consultation and start building your defense.

Understanding Fraud Cases in Lake Charles

In Louisiana, fraud encompasses a broad spectrum of illegal activities generally committed by individuals or organizations for financial gain through deceptive means. While often non-violent, these offenses can have devastating economic impacts on victims and society at large, leading to aggressive prosecution by both state and federal agencies. 

In Louisiana, many fraud crimes are prosecuted under specific state statutes within the Revised Statutes, while others fall under federal jurisdiction due to their interstate nature, involvement of federal funds, or impact on federal institutions. A fraud attorney in Lake Charles needs to be adept at navigating both state and federal court systems.

Key Elements of Fraud in Louisiana:

The central element in almost all fraud charges is intent to defraud. This means the prosecution must prove that the accused knowingly made false statements or misrepresented facts with the specific goal of deceiving another person or entity for financial gain or to cause financial harm.

Common Types of Fraud Crimes We Defend:

• Theft by Fraud (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:67): While broadly defined as "the misappropriation or taking of anything of value which belongs to another... by means of fraudulent conduct, practices, or representations," this statute covers a wide array of deceptive schemes that result in the permanent deprivation of property. The severity of the charge depends on the value of the property stolen.
• Bank Fraud (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:71.1 & 18 U.S.C. § 1344 - Federal): This involves knowingly executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme or artifice to defraud a financial institution.
• Wire Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1343 - Federal): This federal statute is frequently charged in conjunction with other fraud offenses. It involves devising or intending to devise any scheme or artifice to defraud, or for obtaining money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises, and transmitting by means of wire, radio, or television communication in interstate or foreign commerce any writing, signs, signals, pictures, or sounds for the purpose of executing such scheme or artifice.
• Mail Fraud (18 U.S.C. § 1341 - Federal): Similar to wire fraud, but involves using the U.S. mail or any private or commercial interstate carrier for the purpose of executing a scheme or artifice to defraud.
• Insurance Fraud (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 22:1924): This involves knowingly and with intent to injure, defraud, or deceive any insurance company, or the Department of Insurance, or any insured or other party, committing acts such as presenting false statements in support of an insurance claim, assisting in fraudulent claims, or engaging in healthcare fraud.
• Forgery (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:72): This involves altering or creating a signature on any piece of writing that has legal efficacy, or altering the writing, or issuing, possessing, or publishing a piece of forged writing with intent to defraud.
• Money Laundering (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:34.02 & 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956, 1957 - Federal): The process of disguising the proceeds of illegal activities to make them appear legitimate. This typically involves complex financial transactions to obscure the money's true origin.
• Identity Theft/Theft of a Motor Vehicle (Louisiana Revised Statutes § 14:67.16 & § 14:67.26): Misappropriating or taking identity of another or a motor vehicle by means of fraudulent conduct, practices, or representations.