Baltimore, Maryland Identity Theft Lawyers

Attorneys Defending Against Identity Theft Charges in Baltimore

Identity theft-related crimes are viewed as very serious violations by most judges and prosecutors. Dedicated special units in law enforcement agencies and State's Attorney's offices across the country may investigate and prosecute these cases. In addition, victims of these crimes typically pressure the government to prosecute offenders to the fullest after the invasion of their privacy. People accused of identity theft may be prosecuted at the state level, or they may be charged with federal crimes.

Cases involving identity theft are complicated, and they often involve complex records and multiple witnesses. It is important to hire an attorney immediately after being charged with one of these offenses in order preserve evidence and build a defense. At Silverman Thompson, our lawyers understand how charges of identity theft are handled, and we can help clients defend against these accusations. We can provide representation in both state and federal courts.

Identity Theft Charges

In Maryland, the identity theft statute is broken down into several sections:

1. First, it is illegal to obtain the personal identifying information of someone else to get some benefit, credit, good, service, or other thing of value without the person's consent. The definition of "personal identifying information" is very broad, and it includes a person's name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, place of employment, mother's maiden name, bank or financial institution account numbers, date of birth, credit card numbers, or other personal identification numbers.
2. It is illegal to assume another person's identity to avoid identification, apprehension, or prosecution of a crime. For this section of the statute, the identity assumed can be of an actual person or a fictitious person.
3. Also, assuming another's identity to get a benefit, credit, good, service, or other thing of value or to avoid the payment of a debt or other legal obligation is prohibited.
4. Additionally covered under the identity theft statute is the use of a re-encoder or a skimming device to take information off the magnetic strip of a credit card and place it onto another without permission. A person can be charged with a credit card offense for simply being in possession of one of these devices with the intent to use, sell, or transfer identifying information of another person.
5. Finally, a person may not claim to be the representative of someone else in order to obtain identifying information or a payment device number.

What Are the Penalties for Identity Theft?

The legislature wants to send a message that these types of crimes will not be tolerated, and therefore, the penalties imposed in these cases can be harsh. If the benefit, good, service, or other thing of value received after assuming the identity of another person is worth less than $1,500, the penalty can be up to one year in prison and/or a $500 fine. If a case involved more than $1,500 but less than $25,000, the penalty can be up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. If a case involved more than $25,000 but less than $100,000, the penalty can be up to 10 years in prison and/or a $15,000 fine. If a case involved more than $100,000, the penalty can be up to 20 years in prison and/or a $25,000 fine.

If a person is found to have manufactured or distributed another person's personal identifying information, the penalty can also be up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Once convicted, the person may also be responsible for restitution, including attorney's fees and the cost of clearing the victim's credit history and any lawsuits or liens that arose because of the identity theft.

Contact Our Baltimore, MD Identity Theft Attorneys

The attorneys at Silverman Thompson understand the complex nature of identity theft charges, and we can help our clients determine the best ways to defend against these accusations. To get legal help with your case, contact our Baltimore identity theft defense lawyers at 410-385-2225 and arrange a free consultation.