A 24-year-old woman was placed in custody in Boca Raton for stealing the identities of at least 20 of her coworkers at Bethesda Hospital in Boynton Beach. Allegations state that she used a number of fraudulent accounts to pay her bills and purchase costly items at the store Nordstrom. In total, she charged more than $20,000 and also used a false driver’s license in the process. Now, she faces serious criminal charges, including:
- Grand theft;
- Fraudulent use of a credit card;
- Organized fraud; and
- Using another person’s ID without consent.
Penalties for identity theft are serious
Identity theft is one of many white collar crimes, which means that it is nonviolent and motivated by wrongful financial gain. Simply because the offense is nonviolent does not mean that Florida law provides less harsh penalties, however, as the potential penalties an individual charged with identity theft faces can be severe.
First, there are many different charges that can be issued for identity theft and related acts, including the following:
- Criminal use of personal information;
- Obtaining property by false personation; and
- Counterfeit or fictitious personal identification information.
These offenses can be charged as second-degree felonies, first-degree felonies, or even life felonies depending on the particular circumstances of a specific case. Depending on the charge, if you are convicted you may face many years in prison, fines up to $15,000 and payment of restitution, and other consequences. Even if you are placed on probation, you will likely have strict conditions with which you must comply. Compliance can be costly and challenging due to your work and daily obligations and if you violate your probation, you may face additional penal consequences.
In addition to penalties that the court imposes on you, many people who face allegations of identity theft suffer several additional consequences, as well. For example, individuals with convictions of financial or fraud crimes may be turned away from any job position that may require you to handle money. Felony convictions can also limit your rights and disqualify you for many other types of jobs.
Because the penalties can be so serious, it is imperative that you have an experienced criminal defense attorney handling your case. An attorney can identify any legal defenses that may apply in case, investigate the situation, negotiate with prosecutors for lesser charges or a lesser sentence, advise you of your rights and option to plead guilty or not, and represent you in trial if needed.
Discuss your case with a Boca Raton criminal defense lawyer today
Whether you have been charged with a nonviolent white collar crime or a serious violent offense, you should not delay in consulting with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Boca Raton. The representation of a skilled defense attorney is imperative for anyone facing any type of criminal allegations, from traffic tickets to homicide allegations. The sooner you call the office of Lavalle Brown & Ronan, the sooner we can begin building your defense. Please do not hesitate to call 888-646-1315 for help today.
