Bankruptcy Fraud Defense Lawyer in Utah

Fraud cases are a strong focus of both Utah state and U.S. Federal law enforcement. The many forms of fraud cost the American public billions of dollars every year, and Utah certainly has its share of fraud crimes. Very often, fraud in bankruptcy is committed at high corporate levels and victimizes average citizens. So, naturally, the taxpayers expect the justice system to get results in fighting fraud. But, in the authorities’ intensive efforts to stamp out bankruptcy fraud in their jurisdictions, defendants may be charged excessively in some cases.

One problem is a side effect of our nation’s intense battle against fraud crime. It’s that there have become so many charges available to address every imaginable fraudulent action that we now have a vast overlap of laws that can cause a single charge of fraud to grow into a huge stack of related charges.

Don’t let yourself be a victim of excessive charges in a fraud case. Contact Wasatch Defense Attorneys for a free review of your legal case.

What is Bankruptcy Fraud in Utah?

Over the past decades of exploding rates of bankruptcy cases, there has, of course, been a great increase in bankruptcy fraud cases. As for a bankruptcy fraud definition, typically this kind of crime involves hiding assets to avoid having them seized, filing bankruptcy in multiple states, filing false or incomplete documents, and other illegal manipulations of the system.

When a person files for bankruptcy relief with fraudulent intent, law enforcement is typically made aware of it by acquaintances, such as neighbors, coworkers, or business associates. People in the vicinity who know the individual has filed for bankruptcy protection are witnessing the person continuing to live extravagantly, so they report it.

How Does Bankruptcy Fraud Happen?

It can be extremely tempting for many people who are struggling financially to attempt to conceal some assets during bankruptcy. An unscrupulous attorney or accountant or friend may suggest hiding assets and it may sound like a harmless enough and safe enough idea. Adding to the fraud crime of concealing assets, various types of bankruptcy fraud and related criminal actions may also be applicable, such as:

Is Fraud A Felony?

Because fraud is a type of theft, the classification of fraud charges usually is the same as for other theft charges, which currently is:

• Under $500 Class B misdemeanor
• $500 to $1,499 Class A misdemeanor
• $1,500 to $4,999 Third degree felony
• $5,000 or Over Second degree felony

The bankruptcy fraud penalty in Utah is the same as penalties for theft at the above levels of a misdemeanor or felony crime. Punishments can include lengthy prison sentences and huge fines for a felony-level bankruptcy fraud conviction.

Don’t Risk Long Prison Time and Enormous Fines

If you expect to be charged with bankruptcy fraud or a related crime in Utah, you need the best Salt Lake City UT fraud defense lawyer you can get. Your attorney will guide you through the court system and the processing of your criminal case. Your criminal defense lawyer will make sure all your rights are fully protected through every step of the legal process.

Having an effective lawyer, vs. trying to go it alone in court, is likely to make the difference between a horrific outcome and a resolution that might avoid prison time and exorbitant fines. Just having a record of a criminal conviction for felony fraud may make obtaining employment in your chosen field very difficult. It can even make it hard to get a loan or even a place to live. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you achieve the best outcome possible in your case.

Bankruptcy Fraud Defense Attorney in Salt Lake City

Wasatch Defense Lawyers have helped many people over the decades with appropriate bankruptcy filings. We have also protected clients who may have been poorly informed or received misinformation regarding their filings. We know how to sort out the details of complex bankruptcy fraud cases with prosecutors. We immediately work to have charges dropped entirely or significantly reduced.

If you are facing bankruptcy fraud charges in Utah, call Wasatch Defense Lawyers at (801) 980-9965, or contact us here on our website to schedule a free consultation.