Miami Mail Fraud Defense Attorney

Serving Fort Lauderdale & the Surrounding Areas

One reason that mail fraud charges are so common is because the alleged use of the United States Postal Service or another private or commercial interstate carrier does not have to be an essential element of the scheme to defraud.

In order to convict a person of mail fraud, 18 U.S. Code § 1341 establishes that a prosecutor will need to prove all of the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

• The alleged offender devised or intended to devise a scheme or artifice to defraud or obtain money or property by means of false or fraudulent pretenses, representations, or promises;
• The alleged offense involved a material deception likely to influence or capable of influencing the person to whom it was addressed;
• The alleged offender intended to deprive another party of money, property, or honest services, and;
• The alleged offender used the United States Postal Service or another private or commercial interstate carrier in furtherance of the scheme or artifice to defraud.

The term “honest services” is broadly defined as intangible damages that may apply to unethical conduct by public officials or breaches of fiduciary duties in private relationships. Such cases usually involve public officials who receive payments in exchange for certain actions or do not disclose conflicts of interest.

Call (305) 928-1669 if you are in Miami, 954-737-3004 if you are in Broward County, now or contact our firm online to get started.

Federal Penalties for Mail Fraud

While mail fraud charges are frequently one of multiple charges an alleged offender might face, the possible consequences of a conviction for just this crime can be severe.

A mail fraud offense is punishable by:

• Maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and/or
• Maximum fine of $250,000 for individuals or $500,000 for organizations.

When alleged mail fraud offenses affect a financial institution or occur in relation to, or involve any benefit authorized, transported, transmitted, transferred, disbursed, or paid in connection with, a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency, then a conviction becomes punishable by:

• Maximum sentence of 30 years in prison; and/or
• Maximum fine of $1 million.

In addition to imprisonment and fines, alleged offenders can also be ordered to pay restitution to all alleged victims.

The Hoffman Firm Mail Fraud Legal Counsel

Complex criminal schemes frequently involve some use of the United States Postal Service or another private or commercial interstate carrier. For this reason, mail fraud charges are some of the most common federal indictments in white collar criminal cases.

Prosecutors may charge alleged offenders with mail fraud when they do not have enough evidence to convict people of other offenses, but that does not mean that mail fraud charges are not serious. Convictions for this crime can possibly result in decades in prison and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.

If you have been indicted or believe that you could be under investigation for alleged mail fraud anywhere in South Florida, it is critical that you do not say anything to authorities or any other agency without legal representation. It will be in your best interest to contact The Hoffman Firm as soon as possible. Our Miami mail fraud lawyer can help fight to get your criminal charges reduced or dismissed.

If you believe that you are being investigated or you were already indicted for alleged mail fraud, you need to retain experienced legal counsel as soon as possible. The Hoffman Firm represents clients accused of white collar crimes throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, including in South Miami, Hialeah, Miami Beach, Opa-locka, Fort Lauderdale, and many surrounding areas. We can review your case and help you understand all of your legal options during a free and confidential consultation.

If you are in Miami call (305) 928-1669 now for more information. If you are in Broward County call 954-737-3004.