According to the California Attorney General, one of the fastest growing crimes in America is identity theft. In 2005, the Federal Trade Commission ranked California as third in identity theft cases. Further, California is the first state to create an agency dedicated to protecting the identity and privacy of Californians.
With the increased attention on protecting one's privacy, penalties for identity theft and fraud have become more severe for those convicted of identity theft crimes. If you are facing charges for identity theft, contact me, Joel Bailey at Bailey Criminal Defense Inc., for a free consultation.
As an experienced criminal defense attorney, I can help you understand the charges you are facing and your legal options.
"I can make the difference between jail and freedom."
760-643-4025
In the state of California, identity theft is considered a felony offense. To handle the high number of cases, the state operates five regional Hi-Tech Crimes Task Forces to investigate and prosecute identity theft allegations such as:
- Forgery
- Check fraud
- Counterfeiting
- Credit card theft
- Debit card theft
- Gift card theft
If prosecution can prove that you willfully obtained the personal identifying information of another person without authorization and you used it without the person's consent, you can be convicted of identity theft. Consequences of conviction may require incarceration in state prison, fines and restitution.
Whether you have been accused of presenting a false identity to a police officer or have allegedly published bank and credit card account numbers on the Internet, the charges must be taken seriously. Even if you believe you are innocent, it is imperative to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately.
Before making a statement to the federal investigators or to the California law enforcement officers, contact me. My telephones are answered 24 hours a day and I offer a free consultation.
