Queens
Identity Theft Crime
Attorney
Have You Been Charged with Identity Theft in Queens, NY?
Why You Need a Queens Identity Theft Crimes Attorney
It is essential to take full advantage of your right to legal counsel in any criminal case, especially one as serious as an identity theft or identity fraud case. The penalties you face are likely to affect your life in many ways for years to come, and the right attorney can mean the difference between conviction and acquittal. Every American has the right to legal counsel when they are accused of a larceny, even if they cannot afford to hire a private defense attorney or do not wish to spend money out of pocket on attorneys’ fees.
Identity theft cases typically involve very complex digital forensics, complicated financial matters, and various other technical aspects that demand the attention of a focused and experienced criminal lawyer. The Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC has years of experience handling difficult criminal cases on behalf of clients in the Queens, NY area and we can apply this experience and the full range of our professional resources to your case.
What Law Does Identity Theft Violate?
How Serious Is an Identity Theft Charge?
The New York state Penal Code includes three degrees of identity theft charges. Depending on your unique situation, it is possible to face conviction of identity theft in the first, second, or third degree, all of which entail severe penalties:
- The least severe level of conviction is identity theft in the third degree, which entails causing economic harm to a victim for the offender’s own personal gain. This charge can also apply when the theft of one person’s identity results in economic harm to a third party. First-degree identity theft generally qualifies as a Class A misdemeanor but can be a felony in some cases. Penalties for third-degree identity theft typically include fines up to $1,000 or double the amount of what was stolen, up to one year in prison, and restitution to the victim.
- The mid-level identity theft charge is second-degree identity theft. This offense applies to the intentional misappropriation of another person’s identity for the offender’s own personal gain or to commit a felony-level offense. Second-degree identity theft also applies for the intentional infliction of harm against the victim or a third party. The threshold of theft that must occur for identity theft to be prosecuted in the second degree is $500. In the event a defendant is charged with identity theft in the third degree, but they have been convicted before for identity theft in the third degree, their second charge may automatically increase to second-degree identity theft. The punishment for second-degree identity theft can include up to four years in prison and fines up to $5,000, or twice the worth of what was stolen. The defendant will also owe restitution to the victim.
- The most severe charge of identity theft an individual may face in Queens, NY, is identity theft in the first degree. This charge applies if the offender stole more than $2,000 in value from the victim or a third party. If an individual commits identity theft or identity fraud to commit a Class D felony or greater offense, they can also face identity theft in the first degree. Penalties for conviction of first-degree identity theft can include fines up to $5,000 or double the value of what the offender stole, restitution to the victim, and up to seven years in prison.
These severe penalties should encourage anyone facing an identity theft charge to secure legal representation from experienced Queens identity theft crimes attorneys, as soon as possible.
Civil Consequences for Identity Theft
How Can a Queens Identity Theft Crimes Attorney Help?
When you work with the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC on your identity theft case, you can expect robust, personalized defense counsel through every phase of your case. We understand that your future could be at stake and the next several years of your life can hinge on the outcome of your trial. Our team will help you thoroughly explore every possible defense available to you and guide you in making informed decisions about the direction we take your case. You could potentially have more defense options available to you than you initially realized, and the right attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your identity theft or identity fraud case.
Our team will represent you through the preliminary stages of your identity theft case in Queens, from your arraignment and bail hearing, to the pretrial motions that may be necessary for ensuring a comprehensive defense. For example, if we discover that the prosecution obtained any evidence inappropriately, we can move to have it suppressed or stricken from the record so they cannot rely upon it in making their case.
A criminal defense attorney’s job is to attack the foundation of the prosecution’s argument, offer exculpatory evidence that disproves the prosecution’s allegations, and to interpret the New York criminal code to their client’s benefit. If you were wrongfully accused of willfully and intentionally obtaining another person’s information illegally and using it for your own benefit, we will strive to uncover whatever evidence is necessary for establishing your lack of intent. If you did not commit the crime in question, we will help you gather whatever evidence we need, to prove your innocence and secure a case dismissal. In the event you broke the law and the prosecution’s case against you is solid, you still need reliable defense counsel who can help you secure a plea bargain and potentially avoid the worst of the penalties you face under New York law.
It is also possible for identity theft to be prosecuted at the federal level. If you were arrested by any government agency and they have built a case against you, your identity theft case will unfold in federal court and the stakes will be much higher. You can rely on the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC to represent you in Queens criminal court or in a federal court, if necessary. Our team has years of experience handling identity theft and identity fraud cases in Queens and will apply this experience to your case. If you are ready to discuss your defense options with a reliable Queens identity theft crimes attorney, contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team and find out how we can empower your defense.
Queens
Practice Areas
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Contact a Lawyer for Help with a Queens Identity Theft Charge
If you’re facing a forgery charge in Queens, it’s time to contact a lawyer. Identity theft is a serious crime that can land you in jail. Contact the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC to get the help you need.
Our dedicated criminal defense lawyers provide high-quality representation for every client and every case. Our goal is to protect your legal rights and provide the best defense solution for your case.
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