Legally Reviewed By

Justin E. Sterling

Criminal Defense Attorney

An award-winning trial lawyer specializing in criminal defense and civil rights, Mr. Sterling has dedicated his career to representing the accused as well as those who have been mistreated by law enforcement.

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The State of California takes fraud and related crimes very seriously. A conviction could trigger harsh penalties, including prison time and fines. Even after serving a sentence, people convicted of fraud may find it difficult to get a job and secure a place to live.

An experienced Los Angeles fraud criminal defense lawyer can help you understand the charges you are facing and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. At the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling, we have more than 20 years of experience handling cases like these. We can review your case for free and walk you through all the defenses available to you. Contact us now to get started.

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(818) 995-9452

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“Justin knows defense work inside and out and from every perspective. The courtroom is his home and trial is where he is most comfortable.”
-C.K.R., Prosecutor

Why Choose the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling?

When choosing an attorney, you want someone who has handled cases like yours before. At the Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling, we have extensive experience defending people against various fraud charges.

Clients trust us to handle their defense because we offer:

More than two decades of criminal trial experience, including over 100 jury trials tried to verdict
A team of seasoned private investigators with backgrounds in law enforcement
Excellent relationships with prosecutors and in-depth knowledge of courts throughout the Los Angeles area
A limited caseload, which allows for personalized legal representation

Tips for Protecting Your Rights After a Fraud Arrest

Everyone is supposed to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise. Unfortunately, you may feel like you’re being treated as guilty before even setting foot in court. That’s why it’s important to be proactive from the start to ensure your rights are protected.

Remember your right to remain silent during and after an arrest.

You don’t have to talk to the police or answer their questions. Stay polite. Give them the basic personal information they need such as your name and contact information. After that, ask for an attorney.

Do not try to make a deal with the police or prosecutors.

Let an attorney handle all communication for you.

Do not talk to people about your case.

Do not discuss your case with friends or on social media.

Get an experienced fraud attorney on your side immediately.

There are many opportunities to fight a fraud case early on. The sooner you begin working with an attorney, the better off you will be.

Call us today for help

(818) 995-9452

Get A Free Case Review

What Is Considered Fraud?

A person commits fraud when they misrepresent a material fact with the intention of deceiving another person to secure an unlaw gain, gain an advantage, or cause another person to suffer a loss. Because the definition of the term is so broad, it encompasses many different kinds of criminal activity, including:

Check and credit card fraud
Forgery
Identity theft
Tax fraud
Embezzlement
Real estate fraud
Internet fraud

Insurance fraud
Mail fraud
Healthcare fraud
Workers’ compensation fraud
Bankruptcy fraud
Welfare fraud

No matter what type of crime you’ve been charged with, a seasoned Los Angeles fraud attorney from our firm can help you assess your situation and craft a strong defense.

Our Clients Say It Best

Mr. Sterling is a compassionate attorney and person. He goes the extra mile for his clients. He has done so for me on more than one occasion.

- P.S., Former Client

It’s no coincidence that year in and year out Mr. Sterling is recognized by his clients, peers, and third party rankings as one of the best in his field.

- J.P., Attorney at Law

When Justin wins he WINS BIG. It is this truth that enables him to achieve impossible results quickly and quietly for his clients.

- H.L., Superior Court Judge (Retired)

Justin is an excellent trial lawyer who cares deeply for his clients.

- Superior Court Commissioner

Justin is a dying breed of lawyer. He’s fearless and has an innate understanding of what injustice looks like. Never hesitates to speak truth to power.

- Daily Journal

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Penalties for a Fraud Conviction

A conviction for fraud carries serious penalties. You could be sentenced to years in prison and forced to pay thousands of dollars in fines. Examples of penalties include:

Insurance fraud (California Penal Code Section 550): A 5-year prison term and a fine of either $50,000 or double the amount of the fraud, whichever is greater
Healthcare fraud (California Penal Code Section 550): Up to 10 years in prison and substantial fines
Tax fraud (Revenue and Taxation Code Section 19706): A jail sentence up to a year and a maximum fine of $20,000
Credit card fraud (California Penal Code Section 484): Up to 3 years in jail and a maximum fine of $10,000
Check fraud (California Penal Code Section 476): Up to 3 years in jail and a maximum fine of $10,000
Embezzlement (California Penal Code Section 503): Up to 3 years in prison and a $10,000 maximum fine
Forgery (California Penal Code Section 470): Up to 3 years in jail and a fine of up to $10,000
Welfare fraud (Welfare and Institutions Code Section 10980): Up to 3 years in jail and a maximum fine of $5,000
Mail fraud (California Penal Code Section 530.5): Up to a year in jail and a maximum fine of $1,000
Identify theft (California Penal Code Section 530.5): A maximum prison sentence of 3 years and a fine of up to $10,000

The consequences for a fraud conviction extend far beyond prison time. If the crime is charged as a felony, you could be forced to sacrifice certain civil liberties, such as the right to own a gun, obtain federally funded housing, and even vote.

Furthermore, a fraud conviction has unique ramifications because of the nature of the crime. You may be stripped of your professional license and banned from working in certain industries. Even in a personal capacity, rebuilding your reputation could take years.

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Common Defenses to Fraud Charges

Fraud charges are often difficult to prove, with the prosecution required to demonstrate the defendant’s state of mind at the time of the crime. Additionally, the defendant will only be convicted if it is proven beyond reasonable doubt that they are guilty.

Defense attorneys can employ a variety of strategies to make these hurdles impossible to clear, such as:

Duress: If the defendant was coerced into committing the crime through force or fear, this can be used as a defense.
Lack of intent: Most fraud charges, such as embezzlement, require a showing of intent. Defendants often argue that they did not intentionally commit fraud.
Entrapment: The authorities cannot coerce someone, through threat or harassment, into committing a crime.
No fiduciary relationship: Certain fraud charges require a fiduciary relationship or “relationship of trust” between the defendant and the victim. Whether such trust exists depends on the specific details of the relationship.
Good-faith belief: Defendants may argue that they had a good-faith belief that they were using the funds or property appropriately.

These are just a few of the potential defenses to a fraud case. Your criminal defense attorney will work to identify all the weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against you and build a solid defense based on the facts.

How Our Los Angeles Fraud Defense Attorney Can Help You

One of the most stressful parts of being charged with a crime is the uncertainty. If you’re convicted, what will happen to your future? What will happen to your family? Give yourself the best chance at a favorable outcome by working with an experience fraud criminal defense lawyer.

The Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling has years of experience representing Los Angeles residents accused of fraud. We practice in both state and federal court and have handled all kinds of fraud-related cases, including embezzlement, forgery, and tax fraud.

Our legal team works diligently to uncover critical evidence and identify all possible defenses for our clients. Furthermore, we appreciate the circumstances that our clients are coping with, and we offer candid advice and compassion during an incredibly difficult time.

The Law Offices of Justin E. Sterling proudly serve clients in Beverly Hills, Brentwood, Burbank, Century City, Los Angeles Airport, Marina Del Rey, Pasadena, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Valencia and West Los Angeles. If you are facing fraud charges, we can help. We have more than 20 years of experience defending against these types of charges and will work tirelessly to get you the best possible outcome. Contact us now for a free consultation.

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