Fraud and Financial Crimes

Are you facing fraud or financial crime charges in Edmonton, Alberta? With over 25 years of experience in criminal law, Geoff Green is a skilled criminal defence lawyer focused on defending individuals charged with a wide range of fraud and financial offences.

Geoff offers strategic legal representation, providing thorough guidance through each stage of the legal process to protect your rights and work toward a favourable outcome. Contact Geoff today for a free initial consultation.

Understanding Fraud and Financial Crime Charges in Alberta

Fraud and financial crime charges in Alberta carry serious penalties that can impact your life, career, and reputation.

These offences often involve deception, misuse of trust, or unauthorized access to funds or property, and they are treated severely under the Criminal Code of Canada. Fraud cases can range from identity theft and credit card fraud to complex white-collar crimes, including embezzlement and money laundering.

Fraud is broadly defined in Canadian law as an act of deceit or dishonesty intended to cause loss or deprivation to another person or to gain an unfair benefit. Here is a quick breakdown of common types of fraud and financial crime Geoff Green can assist with:

Type of Offence	Description
Identity Theft	Obtaining or using another person’s identifying information without consent for financial or personal gain.
Credit Card Fraud	Misuse of a credit card, often through unauthorized transactions or identity fraud.
Money Laundering	Concealing the origin of illegally obtained money, often through a complex series of transactions.
Insurance Fraud	False claims or exaggerations submitted to insurance companies to receive payments.
Bank Fraud	Fraudulent activity that targets financial institutions, including forgery and misrepresentation for financial gain.
Corporate and Securities Fraud	Crimes that involve misleading investors, embezzlement, or other corporate misdeeds to manipulate company financials or steal from shareholders.

These offences come with significant legal consequences, including fines, imprisonment, and a permanent criminal record. If you are charged with any type of fraud or financial crime, you need a knowledgeable defence lawyer who can build a comprehensive defence strategy.

Geoff Green’s Approach to Defending Fraud Cases

Geoff Green provides meticulous defence strategies aimed at challenging the evidence and protecting your rights.

When facing fraud allegations, the evidence may include documentation, financial records, digital records, and testimony from witnesses. Geoff’s approach is rooted in analyzing every piece of evidence, understanding the prosecution’s position, and identifying weaknesses in their case.

Key Aspects of Geoff’s Defence Strategy

• Detailed Examination of Evidence: Geoff thoroughly reviews financial records, electronic data, and witness testimony to uncover any inconsistencies or gaps.
• Challenging Intent: Fraud cases often hinge on proving “intent to deceive” or “intent to deprive” another party of their assets. Geoff works to question and, where possible, undermine the prosecution’s evidence of intent.
• Legal and Procedural Compliance: Ensuring the Crown has adhered to procedural standards, including lawful search and seizure practices, is critical. Geoff will challenge any evidence obtained unlawfully.
• Negotiating with the Crown: In some cases, reaching a beneficial plea agreement can be a strategic choice. Geoff negotiates to reduce charges or mitigate penalties wherever possible.

Fraud Defence in Court: Key Stages of the Legal Process

Facing fraud charges can be an overwhelming experience, but Geoff Green provides guidance through every stage of the process. Here’s a typical breakdown of how Geoff assists clients from initial charge to case resolution:

1. Arrest and Bail Hearing
   Geoff will represent you during the bail hearing, advocating for fair bail terms or release.
2. Pre-Trial and Discovery
   Gathering and analyzing the evidence, including financial documents, witness statements, and digital records, is essential at this stage. Geoff uses this period to identify weaknesses in the Crown’s case.
3. Pre-Trial Motions
   Pre-trial motions may be filed to exclude certain evidence or challenge legal procedures followed by law enforcement, providing an opportunity to limit what the prosecution can use in court.
4. Trial and Defence Presentation
   Geoff meticulously prepares for trial by presenting evidence, examining witnesses, and making persuasive arguments to establish doubt in the prosecution’s case.
5. Sentencing and Appeals
   If a conviction occurs, Geoff will work to mitigate sentencing outcomes. Should an appeal be viable, Geoff will guide you through that process to challenge the initial verdict.

Fraud Offences and Potential Penalties

Penalties for fraud offences in Canada can be severe, including fines, imprisonment, and a lasting criminal record. The severity of penalties generally depends on the type of fraud, the amount involved, and any aggravating factors such as prior convictions. The Criminal Code of Canada categorizes fraud offences based on whether the amount involved exceeds $5,000.

Offence Type	Maximum Penalty
Fraud Over $5,000	Up to 14 years imprisonment, with potential fines and restitution orders.
Fraud Under $5,000	Up to 2 years imprisonment for summary convictions, and up to 10 years for indictable offences.
Money Laundering	Often handled as an indictable offence, with prison sentences that may reach up to 10 years, depending on the case.
Identity and Credit Card Fraud	Penalties vary, with many cases resulting in imprisonment, restitution to victims, or both.

A conviction for fraud can permanently impact your employment prospects, financial reputation, and even personal relationships. Avoiding a conviction, or reducing the severity of penalties, is often Geoff Green’s primary objective in fraud defence cases.

Identity Theft and Cybercrime Defence

Identity theft and cybercrime cases have become increasingly common, with technology creating new avenues for fraudulent activity. As a leading criminal defence lawyer in Edmonton, Geoff Green has experience defending clients against charges involving internet fraud, including unauthorized access, phishing schemes, and data breaches. Cybercrime cases often involve complex digital evidence, and Geoff has the experience necessary to understand and challenge this type of evidence effectively.

Protecting Your Rights During Fraud Investigations

Being under investigation for fraud can be intimidating, but you have rights that protect you during this process. Geoff Green emphasizes the importance of knowing and exercising these rights, including:

• Right to Silence: You are not required to answer questions from law enforcement without a lawyer present.
• Right to Counsel: Seek legal representation as soon as you become aware of an investigation.
• Protection Against Unlawful Search and Seizure: Police must follow specific legal procedures to search your property or seize evidence.

Fraud cases often involve extensive investigations by law enforcement and regulatory bodies. Geoff ensures that these investigations follow proper procedures, challenging any breaches of your rights to ensure a fair trial.

Defence Against Money Laundering and Asset Freezing Orders

Money laundering charges are complex, often involving the movement of assets across borders and the use of financial systems to disguise the origins of money. Asset freezing orders and other financial restrictions may be imposed during these cases. Geoff Green defends against money laundering charges by dissecting the evidence, questioning the validity of financial tracking, and protecting your rights regarding any restricted assets.

Geoff has the skill and knowledge to challenge asset freezing orders or international asset recovery efforts, especially where assets are critical for your family’s livelihood.

Fraudulent Misrepresentation and False Pretences Defence

Fraudulent misrepresentation and false pretences charges often arise in contractual or financial arrangements. These charges allege that false information was knowingly provided to obtain a benefit, typically financial. Geoff Green reviews these cases closely to identify gaps in evidence and challenges any assumption of intent to mislead. By building a strong case focused on your perspective, Geoff works to clarify misunderstandings and mitigate accusations.

Consequences of a Criminal Record for Fraud in Alberta

A criminal record for fraud can impact your career, especially in industries like finance, insurance, and government roles. In addition to employment restrictions, a fraud-related criminal record can limit travel, restrict professional licensing, and harm personal relationships. Geoff Green recognizes the seriousness of these repercussions and works to either prevent a conviction or explore options for record suspension.

Victims of Fraud: Seeking Justice

If you have been a victim of fraud, identity theft, or financial crime, understanding your legal options is essential to seek justice and potential restitution. Victims of fraud in Alberta can seek assistance from law enforcement or consider civil action for financial recovery. Geoff Green provides guidance to help victims understand these options and offers insight into how restitution may be pursued in a fraud case.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Geoff Green

If you or a loved one is facing fraud or financial crime charges in Edmonton, Geoff Green offers a free initial consultation to discuss your case. With extensive experience in criminal law, Geoff provides clear, insightful guidance through every stage of the legal process. Arrange your consultation today to speak directly with Geoff Green and get the advice you need for a strong defence.