The moment to call is before the interview
Many times financial and fraud cases begin with an internal audit from the business. You may then receive a letter or phone call from a detective asking you to “come in and clear this up.” Everything you say to the business or police is used as evidence against you. When we represent you early on it is possible to resolve the matter as a civil repayment, to narrow the scope of what you are charged with, or to ensure that the State hears your side through counsel rather than through a recorded interview.
What we handle
- Theft by taking, conversion and deception (O.C.G.A. 16-8-2 to 16-8-4). Whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony depends on the amount taken.
- Forgery, financial transaction card fraud and identity fraud
- Employee embezzlement and business partner disputes that turn criminal
- Medicaid and insurance fraud investigations
- Federal wire, mail and bank fraud in federal courts in Georgia
- All other financial and fraud crimes in Georgia
Common questions
At what amount does theft become a felony in Georgia?
Generally $1,500. Theft of property worth $1,500 or less is a misdemeanor; above that it is a felony with sentences that rise at $5,000 and $25,000. Multiple thefts can be aggregated by prosecutors to reach the felony threshold.
A detective wants me to come in for an interview about missing money. Should I go?
Not without a lawyer. You are not required to attend, and going alone rarely helps. Call first and let Brandon speak to the detective, find out what the investigation is actually about, and decide with you whether and how to respond.
Can I avoid charges by paying the money back?
Sometimes. Restitution before charging can persuade a business or a prosecutor to treat the matter civilly, and it always helps at sentencing. But paying back can also be treated as an admission, so it needs to be handled through counsel.
What is the difference between a state and federal fraud case?
Federal cases are brought by the U.S. Attorney, investigated by agencies such as the FBI or Secret Service, and sentenced under federal guidelines that weigh the loss amount heavily. They usually involve interstate wires, banks or federal programs. Brandon handles both.
This page is general information about Georgia criminal law and is not legal advice about your case. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different.