
Criminal offenses associated with credit card fraud demand immediate attention. If you have learned that the state has charged you with a financial crime, then you need to retain a Newark credit card fraud lawyer. The evidence the state may use against you includes bank statements, text messages, and email communications. If you work with a criminal defense attorney, then you have a legal representative who can scrutinize these and other forms of evidence.
The team at LGR Law, LLC has years of experience working on complex legal matters involving credit card fraud. If you are searching for an experienced legal advocate, contact us today to schedule a consultation. We enjoy helping clients understand the nature and extent of their particular charges while informing them of the next steps they should take to defend their freedom.
Credit card fraud is a serious criminal offense under New Jersey law. Specific credit card fraud charges may be classified as a third-degree felony or a fourth-degree felony. The state may charge a criminal defendant with multiple offenses based on a series of financial transactions. The following are some of the most common consequences of being convicted of credit card fraud in New Jersey:
A felony conviction may also damage your reputation. It can also make it more difficult for you to obtain stable housing.
Third-degree credit card fraud is typically associated with a range of activities. An individual may use a stolen, altered, or fictitious credit card and be charged with credit card fraud. Also, a defendant may be indicted if they forge, alter, or counterfeit a credit card with the intent to defraud others. Some credit card fraud cases arise when a person is in possession of materials or equipment used to forge credit cards.
Fourth-degree credit card fraud charges typically arise from conduct involving the selling of credit cards that the defendant stole from another person. A defendant may also be charged with fourth-degree credit card fraud if they use a credit card as security for a loan or make false statements in order to receive a credit card.
The evidence the state must use to prove every element of a criminal offense needs to be scrutinized by an experienced attorney. Fraud is distinguished by a legal term known as scienter, which means intent to deceive or reckless disregard for the truth when committing an act. A skilled criminal defense lawyer can work to negate this element and assert that the defendant did not possess the requisite intent to deceive.
First-time offenders who are convicted of credit card fraud in New Jersey may apply for pre-trial intervention. If a defendant completes the terms and conditions of their probation, the charges may be dismissed at the conclusion of the probationary term. The majority of defendants who participate in a pre-trial intervention program may be required to pay restitution to the defrauded victims.
If you have questions about the additional requirements of diversionary programs and pre-trial intervention, then you should work with a criminal defense attorney who can advise you of the relevant options available to you if you have never been convicted of a criminal offense. It is also essential that you disclose to your attorney if you believe you are the victim of credit card fraud.
Credit card fraud charges are complex, and many clients may not understand all the details regarding specific criminal offenses. If you need legal representation, then you should hire a credit card fraud lawyer. An attorney who has experience working on credit card fraud cases is capable of giving you an objective assessment of the legal defenses that may apply to your specific charges.
Lorraine Gauli-Rufo earned her law degree from Seton Hall University. Ms. Gauli-Rufo worked for several years at LeBoeuf Lamb Greene and MacRae in northern New Jersey. She also worked as an assistant federal public defender; she gained extensive trial experience while working on a diversity of cases. Ms. Gauli-Rufo handles many cases involving wire fraud, mail fraud, money laundering, bank fraud, and securities fraud.
Hannah Eaves has worked at the firm since September 2023. She earned her law degree from Seton Hall University in 2022. Ms. Eaves clerked for the Honorable Marysol Rosero, J.S.C., in the criminal division of the New Jersey Superior Court in Newark. She handles a wide variety of cases and is a dedicated and committed advocate for those who are facing criminal charges.
In 2023, 76.1 percent of all individuals sentenced for credit card and other financial instrument fraud were men. In 2024, approximately twenty-one percent of adults reported that they experienced scams or financial fraud involving their money, with seventeen percent reporting fraud related to their credit cards.
The Newark, New Jersey court system includes the Essex County Veterans Courthouse for criminal cases, the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Courthouse at 50 Walnut Street for federal cases, and the Wynona Lipman Family Courthouse at 350 University Avenue for family law cases.
Credit card fraud in New Jersey should be addressed quickly. If you have been accused of a financial crime regarding the use of a credit card, then you should focus on developing a plan to defend your legal rights. Retaining legal counsel is often an effective step to take when you are trying to focus on what you can do to shield your reputation and your financial health.
The criminal defense attorneys at LGR Law, LLC understand how psychologically stressful and emotionally painful it can be to face criminal charges. If you are seeking a Newark credit card fraud attorney, then contact us today to schedule a consultation during which we can analyze the facts of your case. You are not alone at this time, and our team is here to help you every step of the way.
