Identity theft is an increasingly common crime in America, which is why the San Diego District Attorney has a specialized unit working to investigate and prosecute these crimes. Unfortunately, because stealing someone’s identity can be performed in such an elusive manner, people accused of the crime are sometimes innocent. Vista identity theft lawyer Peter M. Liss can help you if you have been accused of this serious crime.
What is Identity Theft?
Like white collar crime, identity theft is not one specific criminal charge, but a number of different charges that are used in one type of crime. Common charges brought up against those suspected of stealing someone’s identity are credit card fraud, forgery, using falsified documents, check fraud, insurance fraud and more. While you may face a variety of charges for these crimes, they are all felonies and they all require the expertise of a Vista identity theft defense attorney with years of experience.
Search and Seizure
Investigators of these crimes will generally search the home of suspected identity thieves and seize anything they believe may have been used to perpetrate the crime, including computers, specialized printing equipment, digital cameras, and other electronics. Computer crimes are always complex and you will require a top Vista white collar crimes lawyer to help you fight the charges if your electronics have been seized during the investigation. While it is always beneficial to have an attorney prior to having your property searched, even if you hired your lawyer after the fact, he may be able to show that evidence was retrieved from your home without proper constitutional procedures -rendering certain pieces of evidence inadmissible in court.
Fighting the Charges
If you have been accused of, or believe you may be charged with, stealing someone’s identity, please call Vista identity theft attorney Peter M. Liss as soon as possible. You can schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case by calling (760) 643-4050 or (858) 486-3024.
Creative Commons Image by David Goehring