Orange County White Collar Crimes Criminal Defense

Extortion
Extortion is a crime in which an individual intimidates, coerces, or threatens another party with physical harm or character defamation to exact financial gain. This can include the unlawful acquisition of money, property, or services, though an individual can be charged regardless of whether he or she has actually received compensation, so long as a threat was made. If the extortion is made via telephone, mail, or any other method that may be deemed a tool of interstate commerce, it can fall into the jurisdiction of the federal government. It is impertinent that you contact a legal professional at MacGregor & Collins, LLP if you have been involved or could have been involved in acts of this nature.

Forgery
Forgery is the false making or altering of a written instrument and is covered by federal and varied state criminal statutes. A person commits the crime of forgery in the first degree if, with intent to defraud, he falsely makes, completes or alters a written instrument.

The most serious forgery offenses involves stock, bonds or other instruments representing interests in or claims against a business enterprise or its property, or stamps, securities or other valuable instruments issued by a government or governmental agency. Forgery of a deed, will, codicil, contract, assignment or a check, draft, note or other commercial instrument, as well as public records and official documents is also governed by state criminal statutes. Other written documents may be the subject of forgery and laws vary by state.

ID Theft
Identity Theft, or Fraud, is the Fastest Growing Crime in California.

Identity theft occurs when someone uses another persons name, Social Security number, date of birth, mothers maiden name, drivers license number, account numbers, passwords or other personal identification information, without authority, and falsely poses as another person to commit fraud and gain access to the other persons finances.

This also includes selling or transferring personal information to another person to obtain money or goods. Identity theft crime charges include:

Internet identity theft:

- Internet or computer purchases using another persons credit card
- Credit card theft: Applying for a credit card (access card) or making purchases
- Bank/credit card identity theft: Applying for a mortgage, other loan, or bank account
- Counterfeit or altered credit cards, drivers license, or official records (medical, marriage)
- Forgery of signature on documents such as a check or debit card purchase
- Publishing account numbers

California Identity Theft Law
Under the California Identity Theft Law covered in section 530.5 of the Penal Code, a person charged with identity theft can be convicted if the prosecutor proves all of the following:

- A person willfully obtained personal identifying information of another person;
- The information was obtained without authorization;
- The information was used for any unlawful purpose, including obtaining credit, goods, services, or medical records in the victim's name and without the victim's consent.