White Collar and Fraud

The Oklahoma City Criminal Law Firm of Atkins & Markoff is familiar with Oklahoma City White Collar Defense and White Collar charges.

Fraud is the intentional dishonest act of taking someone’s money or property. The defrauded party is entitled to file a civil suit against the person, or party that acted fraudulently. The fraudulent party will also face criminal penalties which will depend upon the malicious nature of the fraud. Fraud includes not pointing out a known fact or a mistake in a contract that purposely misleads the parties involved.

If you are facing fraud charges in Oklahoma City, contact the Criminal Defense Lawyers at Atkins & Markoff today!

Oklahoma White Collar Criminal Charges

The term “white collar crime” was introduced in 1939 and, at that time, defined a crime “committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation.” Today, white collar crime stands for a much less narrow definition, describing federal and state offenses that are typically financial in nature and encompass a wide variety of illegal activities, including fraud and embezzlement. During June 2011, the U.S. Justice Department reported 826 new white collar crimes, which is a 20.8% increase from the previous month. White collar crimes often involve lengthy, detailed and high-profile criminal investigations, and end in very public criminal convictions. If you are facing criminal charges for a white collar crime in Oklahoma, contact an experienced Oklahoma criminal defense attorney at Atkins & Markoff for legal help.

What is Fraud?

Fraud is a type of white collar crime, and is an act that is intended to deceive another person or party for personal gain. Fraud is defined as the intentional dishonest act of taking someone’s money or property. The defrauded party is entitled to file a civil suit against the person or party that acted fraudulently. The fraudulent party will also face criminal penalties which will depend upon the malicious nature of the fraud. Fraud includes not pointing out a known fact or a mistake in a contract that purposely misleads the parties involved. Because white collar crimes like fraud include a wide variety of circumstances, fraud is typically classified into more specific categories. Fraud charges in Oklahoma can include the following:

    Types of Oklahoma Fraud Charges

  • Consumer fraud
  • Credit card fraud
  • Insurance fraud
  • Healthcare fraud
  • Business fraud

    • Penalties for Fraud in Oklahoma

    There are several different types of fraud that are convicted in Oklahoma, and each type carries a different penalty depending on a number of factors. The punishments resulting from fraud charges in Oklahoma vary greatly, depending on the type of fraud, the amount of money or property that is taken, and/or the amount of damage done to the victim. Insurance fraud charges, for example, carry an average fine ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, an average jail time of up to five years, and average probation of up to two years. In some cases, the judge may also order restitution, which is defined as the act of restoring to the rightful owner something that has been taken away, lost or surrendered.

    Contact an Oklahoma Criminal Defense Attorney

    Whether you believe you are the subject of a criminal investigation, or you have already been arrested and charged with a white collar crime like fraud, it is imperative to seek the help of a skilled Oklahoma criminal defense attorney. If you are convicted of fraud or another white collar crime, you will face severe penalties as a result. With the help of a knowledgeable Oklahoma criminal defense lawyer who is familiar with Oklahoma laws and has experience in handling white collar crime cases, you can protect your rights and fight to have your freedom restored as soon as possible.