Legal Support for Identity Theft in Youngstown, OH

The legal team at Youngstown Criminal Law Group is dedicated to defending individuals who have been accused of various theft and fraud crimes as described in Chapter 2913. Identity theft is a critical violation that is fully detailed within Ohio R.C. Section 2913.49. A common defense in these cases involves the defendant proving that the information in question was used for a legitimate, authorized purpose. There are also other reputable legal defenses that may apply to these serious matters.

If you are currently facing charges related to identity theft in Youngstown or the surrounding areas of Mahoning County, Ohio, you should contact a Youngstown criminal lawyer immediately. Our skilled attorneys are standing by to help you challenge the allegations brought against you. Leverage our extensive legal experience by calling (330) 992-3036 right now to schedule a complimentary consultation session.

Fundamental Elements of Identity Theft Violations in Ohio

In the state of Ohio, the specific criteria that constitute identity theft are explicitly listed in R.C. Section 2913.49. The offense is generally broken down into the following key components:

• Acting without the express or implied consent of the victim.
• Engaging in activities such as obtaining, possessing, or using the victim’s personal identifying information.
• Committing these acts with the specific intent to impersonate the victim or to present the victim’s personal details as your own.

Furthermore, subsection 2913.49(B) provides additional details on the offense:

• The individual engaged in creating, acquiring, possessing, or utilizing a victim’s personal details.
• The intentions were to aid or abet another party in misusing that information.
• The individual intended to impersonate the victim or help a third party impersonate them using those details without authorized consent.

While some groups may focus solely on traffic law as a Youngstown DUI attorney, our group possesses the specific knowledge required to navigate complex statutory elements like jury guidelines. For crimes committed after September 30, 2011, the jury instructions are found in CR 513.49, which was last updated on January 21, 2012.

Understanding Definitions within Ohio’s Identity Theft Legislation

Ohio Statute R.C. 2913.49(C) specifies that for the purpose of this law, a “third person” refers to any individual other than the defendant or the victim involved. It is also classified as identity theft if someone, with the intent to deceive, permits another person to use their own personal identifying data.

According to R.C. 2913.49(D), even if you are permitted to use an individual’s identity specifics, it is prohibited to possess, acquire, or employ anyone else’s personal identifiers for fraudulent acts. This applies whether you intend to mirror the other person or use their particulars as your own. Because these definitions are complex, having a Youngstown criminal lawyer by your side is essential to building a proper defense.

In scenarios where consent—or the lack thereof—is debated in court, the prosecution often argues that the ability to consent is compromised if the person does not fully understand the situation or lacks the capacity to make reasonable judgments about themselves or their assets.

Valuation Criteria in Cases of Identity Theft

The severity of the charges and the resulting penalties are often assessed based on the financial value of the credits, assets, or services the defendant obtained (or attempted to obtain) in relation to the alleged offense.

The level of felony charges can change if the victim belongs to specific protected categories, such as being an elderly person or a disabled adult, depending on the value involved as outlined in R.C. 2913.49(I). Much like a Youngstown DUI attorney must scrutinize breathalyzer data, a fraud defense attorney must scrutinize these valuation claims.

In some scenarios, the valuation might involve a cumulative consideration of the credit, property, services sought, or debts and other legal responsibilities avoided, per R.C. 2913.49(H)(1). The sanctions vary according to specific value brackets, which include:

• Under $1,000
• Between $1,000 and $7,500
• Between $7,500 and $150,000
• “$150,000 or more”

Seeking an Experienced Identity Theft Lawyer in Youngstown

If you are dealing with identity theft accusations in Youngstown or the surrounding regions of Mahoning County, Ohio, turn to the seasoned experts in white-collar and financial crime defense at Youngstown Criminal Law Group.

Our comprehensive portfolio of legal services includes defending clients against various financial crimes such as the unauthorized use of property, check fraud, credit card misuse, record tampering, deceptive document procurement, and other falsification charges. To protect your future, reach out to a qualified Youngstown criminal lawyer from our team. Seize the opportunity for a free consultation – dial (330) 992-3036 today.