South Jersey Credit Card Fraud Lawyer
New Jersey Criminal Defense Lawyer Represents Clients Accused of Credit Card Fraud in Camden County, Burlington County, and Throughout NJ
New Jersey, like most states, takes cases involving credit card fraud seriously. If you’re found guilty of credit card fraud, you should be punished harshly. A conviction for committing credit card fraud can carry jail time, steep financial penalties, and the ongoing embarrassment of having to disclose a potentially damaging criminal record to potential landlords, employers, and even educational institutions.
Facing Charges For Credit Card Fraud And Have Questions? We Can Help, Tell Us What Happened.
At Gelman Law, LLC, we take charges of the “white-collar” crime of credit card fraud as seriously as any other criminal offense. Many clients consider credit card fraud and white-collar crimes to be relatively benign in comparison to other types of criminal offenses—but this is a mistake. The consequences that accompany a conviction for credit card fraud are every bit as serious as those that accompany even a violent crime. It is important that you take an arrest or accusation of credit card fraud seriously by seeking the help of a skilled criminal defense lawyer who can explore all options for building a strong defense in your case. Our seasoned defense lawyer has both the experience and resources necessary to craft a successful strategy for achieving the most favorable outcome possible in your case, so call us today to see how we can help.
Get Advice From An Experienced Fraud Charges Lawyer. All You Have To Do Is Call 856-861-4236 To Receive Your Free Case Evaluation.
Defining Credit Card Fraud Under New Jersey Law
The crime of credit card fraud actually encompasses a number of activities under New Jersey law. It is not actually necessary that the prosecution prove that you defrauded someone in order to convict you of credit card fraud. It is sufficient that the prosecution can show that you intended to defraud someone. The evidence used to establish this intent is largely subjective in nature.
In New Jersey, you can be convicted of credit card fraud or a related crime if you:
- Steal someone else’s credit card and make unauthorized purchases
- Steal someone’s credit card information to make unauthorized purchases
- Find a lost credit card and, rather than returning it to the card issuer or account holder, keep the card with the intent to use it (whether or not you actually do use the card)
- Obtain another person’s information and use that information to obtain a credit card in their name
- Use a device to obtain the credit card owner’s card information
- Buy or sell credit card information on a “black market”
In technical terms, credit card fraud is defined under New Jersey law to include any situation where the defendant knowingly uses a counterfeit, fictitious, forged, lost, stolen, altered, or otherwise fraudulently obtained credit card for anything of value. Credit card fraud can also be established if the defendant, with unlawful or fraudulent intent, furnishes, acquires, or uses any actual or fictitious credit card or credit card information.
Accused of Credit Card Fraud? Contact the Skilled Defense Attorneys at Gelman Law, LLC for Help in Your Case
Credit card fraud in New Jersey is generally a third-degree crime punishable by between three and five years in state prison and substantial monetary fines. These penalties are more severe than those imposed for credit card theft, a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison.
Even if the court determines that you should not serve time in state prison because this is your first offense, the court can order you to serve up to 364 days (less than one year) in county jail before being released on probation.
At Gelman Law, LLC, our skilled criminal defense team will ensure that you are informed of all potential options at every phase of your case. We will also fight tirelessly to craft a defense designed to reduce or even dismiss your charges if possible. We know how frightening the prospect of spending time in jail for committing credit card fraud can be, and we will always fight to avoid or minimize jail time.
You may be facing multiple charges at the same time, such as shoplifting or theft. We are able to help you with any and all charges you are facing.
Contact a Reputable Credit Card Fraud Defense Lawyer for Help With Your Burlington County Case Today
If you have been arrested for credit card fraud or are being investigated for committing this crime in the Cherry Hill area, it is important to contact an experienced credit card fraud defense lawyer as soon as possible. Credit card fraud cases can often be complicated, and they may present substantial opportunities for a skilled defense lawyer to build an effective defense strategy that can help you avoid a conviction or reduce the penalties. Call or contact our office to schedule a free and confidential consultation to discuss available options in your case.
Frequently Asked Questions About Credit Card Fraud Charges in New Jersey
Credit card fraud and credit card theft are actually two separate crimes in New Jersey. Importantly, these two crimes are often charged in the same case, such as in cases where the charges are based upon a scenario where the defendant first stole the credit card and then used it to obtain something of value. Credit card theft is often simpler for the prosecution to prove, because if you possess someone else’s credit card, there is a presumption that the state has probable cause to charge you with credit card theft.
Yes. In New Jersey, credit card fraud is generally a third-degree “indictable offense.” This means that the crime is charged as a felony-level offense and, if you are convicted, it will need to be disclosed whenever a potential employer, landlord, or even an educational institution asks whether you have been convicted of a felony.
