Identity Theft Defense
Houston Identity Theft Attorneys :: The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp
Fraudulently using someone’s personal information for illicit purposes is known as identity theft and is a felony under Texas law. This can involve anything from using another individual’s personal information to the theft of credit card numbers and bank account information. Some common crimes that often involve identity theft include:
- Theft of credit card information
- Phishing to illegally obtain bank account information
- Document forging
- Applying for a government issued identification card by using another individual’s information
If you have been accused of any of the above activities it is important to consult with a Houston identity theft lawyer like the ones at The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp immediately.
Possible Sanctions of Identity Theft
Each instance that involves the use of fraudulently obtained information adds one count to the charges and the more counts a defendant faces the more severe his or her sentence is likely to be. A few sanctions that could be levied against someone convicted of identity theft include:
- Less than five counts of identity theft: 180 days to 2 years in jail
- Between 5-10 counts: Two to ten years in prison, plus a fine of up to $10,000
- Between 11 and 49 counts: Two to twenty years in prison, and a fine of up to $10,000
- More than 50 counts: Up to 99 years in prison in addition to a fine of $10,000
Identity Theft Conviction
The process of charging someone with identity theft can be very complicated because technical information is often a large part of the evidence used by the state to secure a conviction. This means an attorney must be diligently involved in checking every detail alleged by the State of Texas in order to find flaws in the prosecution’s case. Many attorneys are simply inexperienced at doing this or may be unwilling to invest the time needed to thoroughly examine a case. The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp will meticulously examine your case for holes in the prosecution’s evidence.
Defending Your Rights
Defending individuals against identity theft is not a problem at The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp. The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp aggressively pursues every angle of defense to give their clients the greatest odds of success possible. This means spending a great deal of time and energy on the discovery process to ensure a defendant is not a victim of overzealous prosecution.
Contact an Identity Theft Lawyer Today
Since a great deal of time should be spent on identity theft cases, people who are facing these charges should not hesitate to call a lawyer. By calling Houston criminal attorneys at The Law Office of Matthew D. Sharp as soon as allegations begin, plenty of effort can be devoted early on which could result in reduced charges or having the charges dropped altogether.
