Mail Fraud Defense Lawyer
California Criminal Attorney Allen Sawyer
As a skilled federal criminal defense attorney in California, Allen Sawyer possesses the experience and resources necessary to confidently defend criminal cases at both the state and federal level. The Law Offices of Allen Sawyer represents clients facing mail fraud and other federal charges in Stockton, Sacramento, and Northern California.
Providing Aggressive Mail Fraud Defense in California
Mail fraud is a serious federal crime that carries severe penalties, including steep fines and up to 20 years in federal prison. If you think you’ve been targeted as part of a mail fraud investigation, or if you’ve been arrested by federal agents in connection with suspected mail fraud, you should act immediately to secure an attorney experienced in dealing with federal agencies. California federal defense attorney Allen Sawyer is a knowledgeable mail fraud defense lawyer who is prepared to go up against tough federal prosecutors to skillfully challenge mail fraud charges and preserve your freedom.
What Is Mail Fraud?
As defined in Title 18 United States Code (USC) § 1341, mail fraud is essentially the use of the federal mail system or any “private or commercial interstate carrier” as part of a scheme to commit fraud. You can be charged with mail fraud even if a fraud scheme is unsuccessful; also, even if the mail plays only a trifling role in a fraud scheme, federal mail fraud charges can be brought against you. The mail is considered a type of interstate commerce that, according to the U.S. Constitution, must be regulated by the federal government. For this reason, mail fraud is a federal offense.
Examples Using Mail to Commit Fraud
- Placing items related to fraud in a mailbox or taking them to a post office for delivery by the U.S. Postal Service
- Sending items related to fraud via a private interstate mail carrier, such as UPS
- Accepting the delivery of items related to fraud from the U.S. Postal Service or a private mail carrier
- Prompting another person to use the U.S.P.S. or private mail carrier to send items related to fraud, or to otherwise cause items related to fraud to be mailed
A charge of mail fraud can be brought independently, and as such carries a punishment of heavy fines and up to 20 years in prison. Mail fraud is often charged alongside other fraud charges such as IRS Violations, or it is brought in addition to charges of other federal or white collar crimes. When charged in combination with other crimes, mail fraud can significantly impact the number of penalties a person may face. The addition of mail fraud charges makes a criminal defense case more intricate and challenging to defend. For this reason it is imperative to secure the counsel of a criminal defense attorney like Allen Sawyer, who not only is well-versed in defending against mail fraud, but also against a wide range of federal crimes.
Defenses Against Mail Fraud Charges
California Criminal Defense Attorney Allen Sawyer
Defenses against Mail Fraud Charges
In order to obtain a conviction against a defendant for mail fraud, a prosecutor must prove that the defendant is guilty of every aspect of the charge. The three primary elements of the crime of mail fraud are as follows:
- A scheme to commit fraud was planned by the defendant
- One or more items were placed in the mail to advance the defendant’s scheme
- The defendant had specific intent to commit fraud
While the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, it falls to the federal criminal defense lawyer to establish reasonable doubt in mail fraud cases. California federal criminal defense attorney Allen Sawyer possesses a breadth of knowledge related to mail fraud laws and is adept at exposing flaws in the prosecution’s case. His track record of success in federal criminal defense cases demonstrates Allen Sawyer’s commitment to fight for each and every one of his clients.
Contact an Attorney Now
If you’ve been charged with a federal crime, it is essential that you secure representation by a California criminal defense attorney who does not shy away from the challenges of criminal defense at a federal level. California federal defense attorney Allen Sawyer knows how tough federal prosecutors can be. Having spent a portion of his career as a prosecutor uniquely equips him to anticipate and defend against the most skilled of federal prosecutors. If you’ve been charged with a federal crime, time is of the essence. Don’t wait: Contact The Law Offices of Allen Sawyer today.