Identity Theft Attorneys Stand Ready To Welcome New Clients

The Minneapolis, MN based Birrell Law Firm wishes to inform members of the communities they serve that the firm is able to represent them in cases involving identity theft. The MN identity theft attorney advises those accused of identity theft to seek counsel with them immediately, especially since the crime can be tried in both state and federal court.

According to the firm, “Identity theft occurs when a person obtains money, goods, or something of value through the use of another person’s identity with fraudulent intent. Identity theft can also involve illegal immigration or criminal Internet activity. Identity theft includes financial, criminal, and business/commercial identity theft, as well as identity cloning.” As such, prosecutors take the charge extremely seriously and will do everything in their power to pursue a victory in court. The Birrell Law Firm, however, stands ready to defend those accused in order to ensure that their case is tried fairly, without undue prejudice.

While identity theft charges can be made in either state or federal court, the latter tends to coincide with other white-collar crimes that the accused is associated with. The firm explains that, for instance, “someone who makes fake credit cards attached to a real person’s bank account and then makes purchases with those cards can be charged with both wire fraud under 18 USC § 1343 and aggravated identity theft under 18 USC § 1028A.”

They note that in all circumstances, defendants should seek to avoid being convicted of aggravated identity theft because it carries a mandatory additional sentence of no less than two years. While this may not seem an excessively long period to some individuals, defendants should keep in mind that period is added to whatever other sentence the judge deems necessary to hand out for other convictions. Making matters worse, this sentence must also run consecutively to other sentences. If an individual is sentenced for aggravated identity theft and another crime that also requires a two-year sentence, this means they will have to spend four years in incarceration. More information can be found here: Birrell Criminal Defense - Identity Theft Law.

The firm adds, “In Minnesota state court, identify theft is covered under Minn. Stat. § 609.527, which defines “identity” to include a person’s name, social security number, date of birth, driver’s license number, passport numbers, employer or taxpayer identification numbers, bank account numbers, and even cell phone numbers.” As a result, the statute’s broad nature means it can apply to a wide variety of situations, and those charged with this crime may find themselves buried under multiple counts of identity theft for what they initially assumed was a single incident.

“Depending on the specifics of the case,” Birrell says, “identity theft can be anything from a misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail to a felony with a maximum punishment of a $100,000 fine and a 20-year prison sentence.” The attorneys at the Birrell Law Firm retain a wealth of experience representing clients facing charges of identity theft. Due to their extensive work in the field, they are aware of the intricacies of Minnesota’s legal system and can therefore help each of their clients navigate every legal hurdle with greater ease as they simultaneously build and fortify their defense.

This means that accused parties who elect to retain The Birrell Law Firm’s services will have an attorney by their side at every stage of their trial—and in some cases they may even be able to resolve the identity theft investigation in their client’s favor before charges are filed. While clients should always seek to avoid charges being placed at all, the firm asserts that they are ready and willing to defend their client in court if necessary.

Learn more about Birrell Law Firm online at their website, or follow the legal experts on their social media platforms to stay up to date with their latest news and announcements. Clients are also encouraged to contact Ian Birrell of the Birrell Law Firm to schedule a consultation or follow up on any inquiries they may have.