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
We live in an increasingly low-cash society. Advances in technology now allow us to make purchases using not only a physical credit card, but through our smartphones and even our watches. Unsurprisingly, instances of credit card fraud have also been on the rise, along with other forms of identity theft. New Jersey, like most states, takes cases involving credit card fraud seriously and punishes those found guilty of this theft crime harshly. Like other criminal offenses, 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 the “white collar” crime of credit card fraud every bit 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—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, and it is important that you take an arrest or accusation of credit card fraud seriously and get the help of a skilled criminal defense lawyer who can help you explore options for building a strong defense in your case. Our seasoned defense lawyer has both the experience and resources necessary to craft a successful defense strategy 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. Importantly, 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, a showing that can often be accomplished by evidence that 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 or 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 (for example, this is how card information is sometimes obtained when used at a gas station or other exposed card reading system),
- 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 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 (credit card theft, on the other hand, is a fourth-degree crime punishable by up to 18 months in prison). Even if the court determines that you should not serve time in 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 as to all potential options at every phase of your case, and we will fight tirelessly to frame a defense designed to get your charges reduced or even dismissed 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 in Your Burlington County Case Today
If you have been arrested for credit card fraud or are being investigated for committing the 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 to prove and present substantial opportunities for a skilled defense lawyer to build an effective defense strategy to help reduce the possibility that you will obtain the maximum available 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”, which means that the crime charged is a felony level crime that, if you are convicted, will need to be disclosed whenever a potential employer, landlord or even an educational institution asks whether you have been convicted of a felony.
