If you have been charged with organized scheme to defraud in Florida then you may have a defense. Lack of intent to defraud is a defense that is oftentimes successful when fighting an organized scheme to defraud cases. Even if you don’t think you have a defense, you should always speak to an attorney to make sure you have a full understanding of how the law applies specifically to your case. If you want to know more about lack of intent to defraud or how to beat your organized scheme to defraud card case in Florida, then contact Matthew Williams now for a free consultation.
In Florida, organized scheme to defraud is defined under Florida Statute 817.034. A person commits organized scheme to defraud when they:
- engage in a systematic, ongoing course of conduct;
- with the intent to defraud or obtain property from one or more persons;
- by false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, promises, or willful misrepresentations of a future act.
The penalty associated with organized scheme to defraud is determined based on the aggregate value of property actually obtained during a scheme to defraud.
- the value of the goods obtained within a six-month period
- the number of times the credit card was used within a six-month period.
Organized scheme to defraud is a third-degree felony, meaning it is punishable by up to five years in prison, or up five years of probation and up to $5,000 in fines (you can also get a jail or prison sentence followed by probation, but the total length of the punishment cannot exceed five years), if the property taken pursuant to the scheme to defraud has an aggregate value of less than $20,000.
Organized scheme to defraud is a second-degree felony, meaning it is punishable by up to 15 years in prison, or up 15 years of probation and up to $10,000 in fines (you can also get a jail or prison sentence followed by probation, but the total length of the punishment cannot exceed 15 years), if the property taken pursuant to the scheme to defraud has an aggregate value of more than $20,000 but less than $50,000.
Organized scheme to defraud is a first-degree felony, meaning it is punishable by up to 30 years in prison, or up 30 years of probation and up to $15,000 in fines (you can also get a jail or prison sentence followed by probation, but the total length of the punishment cannot exceed 30 years), if the property taken pursuant to the scheme to defraud has an aggregate value of more than $50,000. In addition to facing prison time, if you are adjudicated guilty of organized scheme to defraud then you will lose constitutional rights and you’ll have to deal with many other collateral consequences.
Criminal convictions, especially convictions for fraud-related charges, carry severe consequences and can never be removed from your criminal record. If you are convicted of a felony you will lose your right to vote, your right to own firearms, and your ability to maintain certain business licenses. You can also lose your ability to receive financial aid, your ability to live in certain places and your ability to obtain a passport.
If you need an attorney who will advise you, fight for your rights, and do everything possible to protect your future, or if someone you know has been charged with organized scheme to defraud in Florida then contact Matthew Williams now for a free consultation.