Texas Fraud Defense Attorneys

Nationwide Representation You Can Trust

Facing fraud allegations can be overwhelming, but finding the right legal representation is crucial. At Hilder & Associates, P.C., we focus on fraud defense and offer nationwide services to protect your rights and interests. Fraud involves actions intended to deceive for financial or personal gain. 

For example, if a company is accused of exaggerating its profits to lure investors, it represents a classic fraud case. Our skilled legal team is equipped to handle such intricate cases, always aiming to secure the best possible outcome for our clients.

Fraud cases can be intimidating, but you don’t have to tackle them alone. Our firm offers a free consultation to discuss your situation and explore your options. Let Hilder & Associates, P.C. guide you through the difficulties of fraud allegations with confidence and skill.

Take the first step towards a strong defense by contacting us at 713-655-9111.

Understanding Fraud Charges Under Texas and Federal Law

Fraud charges can be extremely complex, often involving detailed legal intricacies and a substantial amount of evidence. It’s critical for anyone facing such allegations to understand the differences between Texas state law and federal law. Texas fraud statutes cover a wide range of activities, such as credit card fraud and securities fraud, each with its own set of potential penalties.

Federal law typically deals with cases where fraud crosses state lines or affects federal interests, like tax fraud or healthcare fraud. These federal charges can be more severe, often resulting in hefty fines and long prison sentences.

Navigating these legal landscapes requires a deep understanding of both state and federal regulations. Having an experienced defense attorney is essential to protect your rights and build a strong defense strategy tailored to your specific case. At Hilder & Associates, P.C., we provide comprehensive legal support to help you understand and effectively respond to fraud charges at both state and federal levels.

What Are the Most Common Types of Evidence Used in Fraud Cases?

In fraud cases, the evidence plays a pivotal role in determining the outcome. The most common types of evidence used include:

1. Financial Records: These are often the backbone of fraud cases. Bank statements, credit card transactions, tax documents, and accounting records can reveal discrepancies or patterns indicative of fraudulent activity.
2. Emails and Communications: Electronic communications, such as emails, text messages, and voicemails, can provide insights into the intent and knowledge of the parties involved. They can be used to establish timelines and connections between individuals.
3. Witness Testimonies: Testimonies from witnesses, including employees, clients, or business partners, can offer firsthand accounts of fraudulent activities or the behavior of the accused.
4. Expert Analysis: In some fraud cases, expert witnesses may analyze financial data or business practices to identify irregularities or support claims of fraud.
5. Digital Evidence: With the rise of cybercrime, digital evidence such as IP addresses, metadata, and digital footprints are increasingly used to trace fraudulent activities back to the perpetrator.
6. Physical Documents: Contracts, invoices, and receipts can be scrutinized for forgeries, alterations, or inconsistencies that suggest fraudulent intent.
7. Video and Audio Recordings: Surveillance footage or recorded conversations can capture fraudulent acts or discussions about committing fraud.

At Hilder & Associates, P.C., our legal team is adept at gathering and analyzing these types of evidence to build a robust defense. We understand the intricacies of fraud investigations and work diligently to challenge the prosecution’s evidence, protecting our client’s rights and interests.

Types of Fraud Cases Handled

At Hilder & Associates, P.C., we handle a wide range of fraud cases, ensuring that our clients receive thorough legal support tailored to their unique needs. Our skilled fraud lawyers are adept at managing various allegations, offering strong defense strategies for different types of fraud, including:

• COVID-19/ Coronavirus fraud is a variety of activity related to the pandemic
• Mortgage and bank fraud cases involving misrepresentation, misstatement, the omission of facts, or other falsehoods
• Healthcare fraud cases related to Medicare and Medicaid claims
• Medicaid and Medicare fraud cases related to claims filed for unnecessary services or products
• Mail and wire fraud cases involving political corruption, identity theft, organized crime, and other criminal conduct
• Internet fraud cases related to fraudulent transactions or transmission of illegally obtained funds using email or other online platforms
• Insurance fraud cases related to false insurance claims, premium diversions, fee churning, and other criminal conduct
• Procurement fraud cases involving contractors and employees working for government contractors
• Ponzi Schemes are fraudulent investment schemes that promise high returns to investors but operate by using the funds from new investors to pay returns to earlier investors.

Our legal team excels in handling the complexities of fraud cases. Whether you’re dealing with federal or state charges, Hilder & Associates, P.C. is dedicated to achieving positive results for our clients through strategic defense.

Nationwide Representation for Fraud Cases

Based in Texas, Hilder & Associates, P.C. offers fraud defense services across the entire United States. This nationwide representation ensures that clients receive comprehensive legal support no matter where they are located. Our firm represents individuals, organizations, companies, and executives. We handle each case with a strategic and thorough approach.

Federal Crime Defense

Defending against federal crimes requires a deep understanding of federal law and a skilled legal team. At Hilder & Associates, P.C., our team includes former federal prosecutors and Assistant U.S. Attorneys. This diverse background helps us handle the complexities of federal crimes, providing clients with a strong and personalized defense.

Our experience with federal government prosecution enables us to anticipate and counter federal prosecutor strategies, crafting effective defense plans through thorough case analysis.

Internal Investigations

Conducting internal investigations is essential for spotting and resolving potential legal issues before they become larger problems. At Hilder & Associates, P.C., we offer detailed investigations to uncover and address any suspicions of misconduct within an organization.

Our experience with complex white-collar crime investigations enables us to identify issues and prepare a strong defense for our clients during a fraud investigation. Our ultimate goal is always the avoidance of indictment.

These investigations are tailored to fit the specific requirements of our corporate clients, ensuring any possible violations are quickly identified and addressed.

Whistleblower Representation

Whistleblower actions play a crucial role in uncovering fraud against federal programs and can lead to substantial financial rewards for those who provide essential information. At Hilder & Associates, P.C., our fraud lawyers offer extensive legal support for whistleblowers, ensuring their protection when they bring forward cases involving false claims.

Our track record of successfully representing high-profile whistleblowers has greatly enhanced our national reputation in fraud defense.

Potential Penalties for Fraud Convictions

Fraud convictions can result in various penalties, depending on the crime’s nature and severity. At Hilder & Associates, P.C., we ensure our clients are well informed about the possible outcomes under both state and federal law.

State-Level Penalties

1. Fines: Varying amounts based on the type of fraud and its impact.
2. Imprisonment: The length of incarceration depends on the degree of the felony or misdemeanor.
3. Restitution: Court-ordered compensation to victims for financial losses.
4. Probation: Supervised release with specific conditions.
5. Community Service: Mandatory service hours to benefit the community.
6. Loss of Professional Licenses: Revocation of licenses for fraud involving professional misconduct.

Federal Penalties

1. Hefty Fines: Substantial financial penalties, often in addition to restitution.
2. Long-Term Imprisonment: Sentences can range from several years to decades, depending on the offense.
3. Asset Forfeiture: Seizure of assets obtained through fraudulent activities.
4. Federal Probation: Supervised release with strict compliance requirements.
5. Ineligibility for Federal Benefits: Loss of eligibility for federal programs and benefits.
6. Increased Penalties for Aggravating Factors: Enhanced sentences for fraud involving vulnerable victims or large-scale schemes.

Understanding these potential penalties is critical for anyone facing fraud charges. Hilder & Associates, P.C. provides legal guidance to navigate these complexities and work towards mitigating the impact of these penalties on our clients.

What Factors Increase Jail Time for Fraud Convictions?

Fraud convictions can lead to significant jail time, and several factors can make the sentence more severe. It’s important to understand these factors if you’re facing fraud allegations:

1. Financial Loss Amount: The bigger the financial loss caused by the fraud, the harsher the sentence might be. Large-scale fraud schemes that cause substantial losses often result in longer jail time.
2. Number of Victims: Cases with multiple victims, especially those targeting vulnerable people, can lead to increased penalties. Courts may impose stricter sentences to account for the broader impact of the crime.
3. Role in the Fraud: The defendant’s level of involvement in the fraud can affect sentencing. Those who played a leading role in planning and executing the fraud usually face more severe penalties.
4. Past Criminal Record: A history of prior convictions, especially for similar crimes, can lead to harsher sentences. Repeat offenders are often viewed as more of a risk to society, warranting longer jail terms.
5. Use of Sophisticated Methods: Using advanced technology or complicated methods to commit fraud can result in longer jail time, reflecting the calculated nature of the crime.
6. Obstructing Justice: Trying to interfere with the investigation or prosecution, such as tampering with evidence or intimidating witnesses, can lead to additional charges and longer sentences.
7. Lack of Remorse or Cooperation: Showing no remorse or failing to cooperate with authorities during the investigation can negatively impact sentencing. Courts may look more favorably on those who cooperate, potentially leading to reduced penalties.

Understanding these factors can help individuals and their legal teams develop strategies to lessen potential penalties. At Hilder & Associates, P.C., our fraud attorneys work diligently to address these issues and advocate for the most favorable outcomes for our clients facing fraud charges.

Defense Strategies for Fraud Allegations

Facing fraud allegations can be daunting, but having a solid defense strategy is crucial. At Hilder & Associates, P.C., we use a variety of defense tactics tailored to each case to ensure the best outcome for our clients. Here are some strategies we commonly employ:

1. Challenging Evidence Collection: We carefully examine how evidence was gathered to ensure it was collected legally. If any evidence was obtained unlawfully, we work to have it dismissed.
2. Questioning Witness Credibility: We assess the reliability of witnesses, challenging any inconsistent testimonies and highlighting potential biases.
3. Expert Witness Testimony: We bring in expert witnesses to provide alternative views on certain issues, like financial transactions, to counter the prosecution’s claims.
4. Intent and Knowledge: We demonstrate that our client did not intend to commit fraud or was unaware of any fraudulent activity, as intent is key in fraud cases.
5. Good Faith Defense: We argue that our clients believed their actions were legal, which can negate fraudulent intent.
6. Plea Negotiations: When suitable, we negotiate plea deals to reduce charges or penalties, using our knowledge of the legal system to our advantage.
7. Entrapment: If relevant, we may argue that law enforcement induced our client to commit a crime they wouldn’t have otherwise committed.
8. Lack of Material Fact: We argue that any alleged misrepresentation was not significant enough to influence the other party’s decisions.
9. Absence of Fiduciary Duty: In cases alleging a breach of fiduciary duty, we show that no such duty existed, thus nullifying the fraud claims.
10. Trial Preparation and Defense: If a trial is necessary, we prepare thoroughly, crafting specific defenses to challenge the prosecution’s case.

At Hilder & Associates, P.C., we offer comprehensive corporate compliance programs designed to prevent legal issues before they arise. Our services are tailored to meet the unique needs of each corporation, ensuring maximum effectiveness in deterring violations such as mortgage and bank fraud, health care fraud and theft. Our experienced legal team works closely with corporate clients to develop and implement these programs, safeguarding their integrity and future.

With these strategies, Hilder & Associates, P.C. provides each client with a tailored defense aimed at protecting their rights and achieving the best possible outcome.

How Hilder & Associates, P.C. Can Help You

Hilder & Associates, P.C. is dedicated to providing exceptional legal representation for clients facing fraud allegations. Our firm stands out due to our extensive experience, personalized approach, and proven track record in handling complicated fraud cases. We understand the intricacies of fraud defense and tailor our strategies to meet the unique needs of each client, ensuring a robust defense that aims for the best possible outcome.

Our legal team comprises former prosecutors and seasoned attorneys who bring invaluable insights from both sides of the courtroom. This diverse background allows us to anticipate prosecution strategies and effectively counter them. We are committed to protecting your rights and interests, offering comprehensive legal support from the initial consultation to the resolution of your case.

At Hilder & Associates, P.C., we believe in the power of proactive defense. Our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction sets us apart from our competitors, making us the preferred choice for fraud defense.

If you are facing fraud allegations, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Contact Hilder & Associates, P.C. today at 713-655-9111 or toll-free at 888-659-8742 for a confidential consultation and take the first step towards a strong and effective defense.