California Identity Theft Charge - Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney CA

CALIFORNIA IDENTITY THEFT DEFENSE

Defense for Identity Theft Charges · Credit Card Theft
Internet Crimes · Bank Account Theft
Identity Theft Defendant

Los Angeles Identity Theft Defense Attorney
California Identity Theft Defense Lawyer

Identity Theft, or Fraud, is the Fastest Growing Crime in California.

Identity theft occurs when someone uses another person’s name, Social Security number, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, driver’s license number, account numbers, passwords or other personal identification information, without authority, and falsely poses as another person to commit fraud and gain access to the other person’s finances.

This also includes selling or transferring personal information to another person to obtain money or goods.

Identity theft crime charges include:

Internet identity theft: Internet or computer purchases using another person’s credit card
Credit card theft: Applying for a credit card (access card) or making purchases
Bank/credit card identity theft: Applying for a mortgage, other loan, or bank account
Counterfeit or altered credit cards, driver’s license, or official records (medical, marriage)
Forgery of signature on documents such as a check or debit card purchase
Publishing account numbers

California Identity Theft Law
Under the California Identity Theft Law covered in section 530.5 of the Penal Code, a person charged with identity theft can be convicted if the prosecutor proves all of the following:

A person willfully obtained personal identifying information of another person;
The information was obtained without authorization;
The information was used for any unlawful purpose, including obtaining credit, goods, services, or medical records in the victim's name and without the victim's consent.

An Identity Theft Charge Can Carry Severe Penalties
Falsely posing as another person is a criminal act and carries serious penalties. If you have been accused of or charged with an identity theft crime, your case may be filed as either a misdemeanor (see www.misdemeanorattorney.com) or a felony (see www.felony-lawyer.com).

A misdemeanor charge is punishable by up to one year in jail. A felony is punishable by 16 months or more of state prison time. The charge and sentence will depend on the following:

Seriousness or degree of the victim's harm
Amount of monetary damage
The sophistication of the crime
Defendant’s past criminal record
Internet theft: the Internet crosses state lines, so the theft can also be charged as a federal crime

Avoid Identify Theft Charges or Conviction
If you have been arrested or accused of an identity theft crime, it is important to work with an attorney who has experience in identify theft cases for the best outcome of your case. A skilled defense attorney can develop a defense strategy early on in the case, and may be able to reduce or dismiss the charge before you even discuss settlement or go to trial. Alternative Sentencing (no jail) is always an option with a good criminal defense attorney (see www.avoid-jail.com).

How an Identity Theft Defense Lawyer Can Help
If you’re charged with a theft crime, you must speak with an experienced defense attorney right away so he/she can properly evaluate your case.

Stephen G. Rodriguez & Associates has considerable experience in obtaining favorable results in identity theft charges. Mr. Rodriguez, assisted by his talented associates, is an aggressive attorney who works hard to defend his clients. He has achieved excellent results in identity theft cases that at first did not appear defensible. He understands how to prepare a strong defense for identify theft crimes and get the best results for your case.

If You Are a Victim of Identity Theft…

Contact your local law enforcement agency and file a crime report
Keep a log of all phone calls, letters, notes of conversations, and other correspondence relating to your identity theft case
Contact all three Credit Bureau agencies and request that a FRAUD ALERT be issued and attached to your credit report

As a criminal defense law firm, we do not handle cases for identity theft victims.

Law Offices of Stephen G. Rodriguez
633 West 5th Street
26th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90071

Telephone
(213) 223-2173

Stephen G. Rodrigues & Associates represents clients in the Southern California (CA) region, including Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Orange County, Santa Ana, Fullerton, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Ventura County, Kern County, Bakersfield, San Bernadino, and Riverside County.

Some of the terms that pertain to our practice include but are not limited to: dui, child abuse, identity theft, drunk driving, fraud, domestic violence, grand theft, felony, kidnapping, narcotic, robbery, misdemeanor, restraining order, arrest warrant, theft, hit and run, vandalism, arson, traffic charges, shoplifting, stalking, embezzlement, burglary, extortion, bench warrant, expungement, assault and battery, terrorist threat, sex offenses, solicitation, probation violation, suspended license, carjacking, gun weapon, attempted murder, petty theft, alternative sentencing, lewd conduct, drug possession, clear criminal records, juvenile offense, seal juvenile records, prostitution, rape.