Mail Fraud

Mail Fraud Defense Attorney Ready to Fight Your Charges

Mail fraud involves making intentional misrepresentations using the postal system for financial gain. Although mail fraud is a nonviolent, white-collar offense, it is punished harshly by the criminal justice system. Many cases are investigated by law enforcement for weeks, months, or even years. If you suspect that you are the subject of a mail fraud investigation, please call us at (310) 448-1529.

Mail fraud is often perceived as a crime committed by sophisticated criminals, but in reality, anyone can be charged with this offense. Federal authorities take these charges very seriously. If convicted of mail fraud, you could face severe penalties including significant fines and lengthy prison sentences.

You might be charged with mail fraud if you:

• Deceive others for financial or personal gain using the postal system.
• Cause financial loss or damage to another person or entity through the use of mail.

Examples of mail fraud include:

• Falsifying information in documents sent through the mail.
• Using the mail to send fraudulent bills or invoices.
• Creating schemes that use the postal system to defraud individuals or businesses.
• Engaging in fraudulent activities that involve mailing counterfeit documents or checks.

Federal authorities can prosecute mail fraud crimes, leading to potential charges that carry severe penalties. This makes it crucial to have an experienced attorney to defend your case.

What is Mail Fraud?

Mail fraud involves any unlawful activity that uses the postal system, a postal worker, or a postal carrier. To be charged with mail fraud, the post office does not need to play a central role in your case. Regardless of how the mail system is involved, the prosecution can still charge you with the federal crime of mail fraud.

To convict you of mail fraud, the government must prove:

1. You intended to commit fraud.
2. You used the mail system in some way to further the fraud.

Proving intent is the biggest hurdle for the prosecution. If the government has no evidence that you intended to defraud, your charges should be dismissed.

Elements Required to Prove Mail Fraud

Intent to Commit Fraud

The government must prove that you had the specific intent to commit fraud. This means showing that you deliberately planned to deceive another party for financial gain or to cause harm. Without clear evidence of your intent to defraud, the prosecution cannot meet its burden of proof, and the charges should be dismissed.

Use of the Mail System

The prosecution must also demonstrate that you used the mail system in some capacity to further the fraudulent scheme. This does not require that the postal system played a central role in the fraud, but it must be shown that the mail was used in some way to advance the scheme. Examples include sending fraudulent documents, receiving illegal proceeds, or communicating with co-conspirators through the postal service.

Penalties for Mail Fraud

Cases are handled by federal authorities and tried in federal court. The penalties for mail fraud are severe, reflecting the seriousness with which the federal justice system treats these offenses. If convicted of mail fraud, you could face the following penalties:

• Prison: For a single count of mail fraud, you could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
• Fines: Conviction may result in fines up to $250,000 for each count of mail fraud.
• Probation: In some cases, the court may sentence you to probation instead of prison time, depending on the circumstances and severity of the offense.
• Restitution: The court may order you to pay restitution to the victims, covering their financial losses resulting from the fraudulent scheme.

Mail Fraud Defense Attorney Ready to Fight for You

If you or a loved one is facing mail fraud charges, it is crucial to seek experienced legal representation immediately. Attorney Arash Hashemi has been defending mail fraud cases for over a decade. Since being sworn in as an active member of The State Bar of California in 2002, Arash has handled a wide variety of criminal cases, including complex federal fraud charges. He is admitted to practice before all California State Courts and the United States District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, Central, and Southern Districts of California.

Schedule a Consultation:

• Phone: (310) 448-1529
• Email: Contact@hashemilaw.com
• Address: 11845 W Olympic Blvd #520, Los Angeles, CA 90064
• Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, with flexible scheduling options available, including weekend appointments.

For more information or to schedule an initial consultation, please call us at (310) 448-1529 or contact us online. We offer flexible hours, weekend appointments, and will visit you in jail to discuss your case. Our office is conveniently located within minutes of Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Westwood, and steps away from the Expo/Bundy Station.