Any form of fraud is a serious criminal offense that can land a person in prison for a long time if the accused individual is convicted — among various other significant penalties. Mail fraud is believed to be one of the most common forms of fraud for which people in Michigan and elsewhere end up facing federal charges. What exactly is it?
Mail fraud is…
By simple definition, mail fraud is when someone uses the mail in a scheme to obtain property or money through false representation or to supply, exchange, sell, distribute or use counterfeits. Mail fraud can be committed through any type of mailing system. It is not specific to using the U.S. Postal Service. Mail fraud can be a state or federal offense. It becomes a federal offense if the mail crosses state lines.
Consequences
As previously stated, the consequences of mail fraud can be severe. In federal cases, penalties, if one is convicted, include up to 20 years behind bars and a fine. In some cases, the fines may be up to $1 million, and the length of imprisonment extended to 30 years. It all depends on the details of the alleged crime.
Defend yourself
Defending yourself when accused of a federal crime such as mail fraud is your right. The sooner you start working on your defense, the better. An experienced criminal defense attorney can review the details of your case and assist you in fighting for the best outcome possible. That may end up being a case dismissal, pursuing a plea agreement or utilizing other means to seek to minimize any penalties associated with a conviction.
