White Plains Mail and Wire Fraud Attorneys

We’re Ready to Aggressively Challenge the Accusation Against You

Mail and wire fraud are serious felonies. Often charged together and in connection with other federal crimes, the two offenses carry lengthy prison sentences and steep fines. If you're being investigated for mail and/or wire fraud, it's imperative that you speak with an experienced attorney about your case right away. If you're convicted, you will have a felony mark on your criminal record, which can affect you long after you have paid your dues. You may struggle to find a place to live or work and may also be ineligible for government benefits. Thus, readjusting to society and being able to provide for yourself will be difficult.

At Portale Randazzo LLP, our White Plains mail and wire fraud defense attorneys recognize the challenges you can face when defending yourself against criminal accusations and those that may arise if you're convicted. That is why we provide aggressive and serious representation for these types of matters. Our team will leave no stone unturned as we investigate your case, look for weaknesses in proof, and identify defenses that can be raised on your behalf. Backed by over 100 years of experience and having a track record of results, we can deliver the legal counsel you need throughout your case.

Learn more about how we can protect your rights and freedoms by calling us at (914) 292-3557 or contacting us online.

Mail and Wire Fraud Explained

Although the elements of mail and wire fraud are enumerated under separate federal statutes, they are similar offenses. Both involve using certain types of communication to further a ploy.

Mail and wire fraud include the following:

• Scheme or artifice to defraud: The individual accused of mail or wire fraud must have knowingly been engaged in or intended to be engaged in some type of plan devised to deprive others of money, property, or services. For instance, suppose a person is planning to use other people's information to obtain lines of credit and unlawfully purchase goods. This plan would be considered an artifice to defraud.
• Use of false or fraudulent pretenses: The individual involved in the scheme must have knowingly misrepresented facts or omitted information to defraud the others. Returning to the example earlier, say, to get others' personal identifying information, the individual sends out fake job announcements. The promise of work that doesn't exist is a false pretense.
• Intent to defraud: The individual engaged in the scheme must have done so intending to defraud others. This means they knowingly and willfully deceived someone else. In the example given earlier, the individual knowingly and purposely sent out fake job announcements to obtain personal information.
• Use of communication system to further the scheme: If someone uses the U.S. Postal Service or a private commercial interstate carrier to further their plan, they're committing mail fraud. If they use any electronic communication, such as email, texts, or social media messages, they're committing wire fraud. Thus, if the individual in the earlier example mails out the job announcements and/or emails them to others, they are committing one or both of these crimes.

The Penalties for Mail and Wire Fraud

Both mail and wire fraud carry a maximum prison sentence of 20 years. However, that term of imprisonment can increase to up to 30 years if the offense was committed when the president had declared a major disaster or state of emergency. Additionally, under such circumstances, the defendant may be fined up to $1,000,000.

Individualized Legal Representation

Have you been accused of mail and/or wire fraud? Reach out to our White Plains lawyers as soon as possible. At Portale Randazzo LLP, we put in the time, effort, and resources necessary to build an effective and personalized defense. The sooner you discuss your situation with us, the more quickly we can get started preparing for your case.

Schedule a confidential consultation by calling us at (914) 292-3557 or submitting an online contact form today.