A deceptive practices criminal charge is very serious. By going over what this charge entails and speaking with a Chicago criminal defense lawyer who can help you, you will be able to protect your rights. Our legal team at Glasgow & Olsson has the background, expertise, and credentials to provide you with the most effective legal defense for a deceptive practices charge.
What Are Deceptive Practices?
Deceptive practices are practices that involve intentionally deceiving or misleading a party for financial gain.
Some of the different practices that can be, and are, considered “deceptive” are as follows:
Saying false things to promote a service.
- Credit card fraud.
- Making bad checks.
- Misreporting your income.
- Forging information to obtain a loan.
Outside of the practices outlined above, many others are considered “deceptive practices.”
No matter the practices comprising a particular “deceptive practices” charge, the consequences are always serious.
What Happens If You Are Charged With Deceptive Practices?
The answer to the question outlined above is as follows: it depends on the facts of your charge.
Just as an example, if you are charged with a deceptive practice involving minor credit card fraud, then, depending on the amount of money involved in the alleged fraud, you may face a misdemeanor charge.
On the other hand, if the deceptive practice you have been charged with involves a great deal of money, then you may face a felony charge.
The consequences of a misdemeanor charge for deceptive practices are as follows:
- A period of no more than one year in jail.
- A fine of no more than $2,500.
The consequences of a felony charge for deceptive practices are as follows:
- A period of four to fifteen years in prison.
- A fine of no more than $25,000.
Given the seriousness of these consequences, if you have been hit with a deceptive practices charge, you must do everything you can to protect yourself.
How Can You Defend Yourself From A Deceptive Practice Charge?
The best way to defend yourself from a deceptive practices charge is to speak with an attorney.
By speaking with an attorney, you can go over and analyze the facts of the charge against you. This will allow you to develop a strategy that, when employed, will protect your innocence.
Your strategy is dependent on the facts of the charge against you.
Just as an example, if you are facing a credit card fraud charge, then you may need to present documentation that demonstrates your credit card transactions, among other relevant facts.
On top of the above, you may also need to gather expert witnesses who can support some of your claims related to the fraud you have been accused of.
The two points found above are just two examples of a strategy that may be used if you have been charged with deceptive practices.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
If you need representation for a deceptive practices charge, Glasgow & Olsson is uniquely qualified to help you.
Our team has helped thousands of people who have been charged with crimes in Illinois. When we take cases, we do so to win. This means we take cases to trial. We don’t arrange plea bargains unless it is in the best interest of our clients. As proactive lawyers, we fight aggressively and support our clients throughout their entire case up to and including appeals.
Protecting your life and freedom is always the goal, and with our decades of experience practicing law, we know how to get results. This is why we are regularly invited to appear as a legal contributor on popular radio and news outlets, including ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS, and Fox NEWS.
When you need an attorney, experience matters. Speak with a Chicago criminal defense attorney today to learn how our experience can get you the results you deserve.