Miami Identity Theft Defense Attorney

Florida's state law relating to identity theft crimes is established under Florida Statute § 817.568.

Fraudulent use of personal identification information offenses listed under Florida Statute § 817.568(2) include the following crimes, which involve an alleged offender willfully and without authorization fraudulently using personal identification information concerning a person without first obtaining that person’s consent:

• Pecuniary benefit, value of the services received, payment sought to be avoided, or amount of the injury or fraud perpetrated is less than $5,000 and the alleged offender fraudulently uses the personal identification information of fewer than 10 individuals: Third-degree felony punishable by to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000
• Pecuniary benefit, value of the services received, payment sought to be avoided, or amount of the injury or fraud perpetrated is $5,000 or more or the alleged offender fraudulently uses the personal identification information of 10 or more individuals, but fewer than 20 individuals: Second-degree felony punishable by a mandatory minimum of three years up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
• Pecuniary benefit, value of the services received, payment sought to be avoided, or amount of the injury or fraud perpetrated is $50,000 or more or if the person fraudulently uses the personal identification information of 20 or more individuals, but fewer than 30 individuals: First-degree felony punishable by a mandatory minimum of five years up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000
• Pecuniary benefit, value of the services received, payment sought to be avoided, or amount of the injury or fraud perpetrated is $100,000 or more or if the person fraudulently uses the personal identification information of more than 30 individuals: First-degree felony punishable by a mandatory minimum of ten years in prison up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000

Florida Statute § 817.5685 also establishes the offense of unlawful possession of the personal identification information of another person. If an alleged offender possesses the personal identification information of four or fewer persons, this crime is a first-degree misdemeanor.

A first-degree misdemeanor charge for identity theft is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. Identify theft becomes a third-degree felony, however, if the alleged offender possesses the personal identification information of five or more persons.

Federal Identity Theft Penalties

When the United States Congress passed the Identity Theft and Assumption Deterrence Act in 1998, it created the federal offense of identity theft under 18 U.S.C. § 1028(a)(7). That statute prohibits knowingly transferring, possessing, or using, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit or to aid or abet, or in connection with, any unlawful activity that constitutes a violation of federal law or a felony under any applicable state or local law.

Other offenses included under this statute (which can also be referred to as identity fraud) include:

• Knowingly and without lawful authority producing an identification document, authentication feature, or a false identification document
• Knowingly transferring an identification document, authentication feature, or a false identification document knowing that such document or feature was stolen or produced without lawful authority

• Knowingly possessing with intent to use unlawfully or transfer unlawfully five or more identification documents (other than those issued lawfully for the use of the possessor), authentication features, or false identification documents
• Knowingly possessing an identification document (other than one issued lawfully for the use of the possessor), authentication feature, or a false identification document, with the intent such document or feature be used to defraud the united states
• Knowingly producing, transferring, or possessing a document-making implement or authentication feature with the intent such document-making implement or authentication feature will be used in the production of a false identification document or another document-making implement or authentication feature which will be so used
• Knowingly possessing an identification document or authentication feature that is or appears to be an identification document or authentication feature of the United States or a sponsoring entity of an event designated as a special event of national significance which is stolen or produced without lawful authority knowing that such document or feature was stolen or produced without such authority
• Knowingly trafficking in false or actual authentication features for use in false identification documents, document-making implements, or means of identification

Most federal identity theft crimes are punishable by significant fines and up to 15 years in prison. If an alleged offense was committed to facilitate a drug trafficking crime, in connection with a crime of violence, or after a prior conviction, the crime is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

When an alleged offense is committed to facilitate an act of domestic terrorism or an act of international terrorism, a conviction is punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

Find an Identity Theft Defense Attorney in Miami

Were you arrested or do you believe that you could be under investigation in Broward County or Miami-Dade County for identity theft? You should exercise your right to remain silent until you are able to contact The Hoffman Firm.

Our firm represents individuals in numerous communities throughout South Florida, such as Margate, Dania Beach, Lauderhill, Hallandale Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and many others. You can have our Miami identity theft attorney provide a complete evaluation of your case as soon as you call our office or contact us online.

Call (305) 928-1669, if you are in Miami, 954-737-3004 if your case is out of Broward County, now and schedule your free case consultation.