Fraud & Theft

Straight Talk About Fraud & Theft

In these difficult economic times, many people who otherwise would never consider committing fraud or theft can feel they have no other choice.

Raymond D. Sprowls, attorney at law, tells his clients the truth: The state doesn't care how badly you needed the money. In their eyes, it is irrelevant to the disposition of your case.

"I understand how aggressively these cases are pursued because, as a prosecutor, I pursued them. As your defense attorney, I will do everything I can to help." — Attorney Raymond Sprowls

Mr. Sprowls defends clients charged with many different forms of fraud and theft, including:

Credit card fraud
Bad checks
Fake or changed ID cards or benefit cards
Forged instruments
Tax fraud
Unemployment fraud
Medicaid fraud
Workers' Compensation fraud
Embezzlement

Fraud Against the Government

People accused of fraud against the government may believe they will be dealt with less severely because they see their actions as a victimless crime. In fact, just the opposite is true. Stealing money from an individual comes down to the credibility of the victim. When you defraud the government, credibility is not a question. The state has nearly unlimited time and resources to come after you to see that you are made an example of. That is why it is so important to select a criminal defense attorney with the experience and knowledge to represent you effectively.

Mr. Sprowls will review the facts of your case and develop a defense strategy designed to limit your exposure to negative consequences. In some cases, that may mean taking the case to trial. In other cases, he may arrange an agreement for you to make restitution for taking the funds. In every case, you can be assured that he will work to achieve a positive resolution.

To schedule a consultation about your case, please contact criminal defense lawyer Raymond D. Sprowls. He represents clients throughout New York's Hudson Valley.

Recent Case Results

November, 2009:
Two men were arrested in a car after police claimed they had seen the driver (Mr. Sprowls’ client) throw a quantity of cocaine out the window and on to a city street. At a pre-trial suppression hearing, Mr. Sprowls successfully argued to the judge that the evidence should be suppressed. Once the evidence was suppressed, the D.A. had no choice but to dismiss all criminal charges. The defendant ended up pleading guilty to a speeding ticket!
October, 2009:
A few months after Mr. Sprowls’ client was arrested during the execution of a search warrant, Mr. Sprowls got the felony charges dismissed. The defendant had been found inside an apartment with prescription pills, marijuana, cocaine, and drug paraphernalia in the room next to where the defendant was standing. Mr. Sprowls used his extensive knowledge of search and seizure law and the facts of the case to convince the D.A. that the case could not be proven against his client and persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the charges.
August, 2009:
The police arrested two boys and charged them with felony Criminal Mischief, claiming the boys had caused damage in excess of $500.00 to a local municipal park. The boys denied the charges. The end result? Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed in exchange for the boys’ promise each pay only $100.00. The moral of the story? Never accept the word of the police as truth -- they lie and exaggerate just as much as anyone else.
August, 2008
Two men were arrested and charged with Burglary in the Third Degree, a Class D felony. Mr. Sprowls' client had just finished serving 22 years in state prison and was on parole.

Within five weeks of the defendant's arraignment, Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed and the defendant is a free man.
March, 2008:
A high school-aged boy and four of his friends were arrested and charged with multiple felonies, including Burglary in the First Degree and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree. If convicted of the Burglary Charge as an adult, Mr. Sprowls’ client could have been sentenced to anywhere between 5 and 25 years in state prison. In October, 2008, after extensive investigation and interviews with witnesses, Mr. Sprowls got the case dismissed and his client’s bright future remained intact.
February, 2008
Five people were arrested in a commercial establishment during the execution of a search warrant. The store was a "weed spot" and had been selling to a steady stream of customers for months.

Mr. Sprowls' client was in the common area of the store when the police entered and no marijuana was found on his person.

Within a month of his arrest, Mr. Sprowls got the case against his client dismissed.
December, 2007
Two men were arrested in the City of Newburgh and charged with multiple Class D Felonies, including Grand Larceny in the Third Degree and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree. Mr. Sprowls' client had a lengthy criminal record going back over thirty years with a prior felony conviction. The D.A. was out for blood and insisted that the two men would go to state prison for these crimes.

Of course, Mr. Sprowls could represent only one of the defendants. After investigating the case and researching the applicable law, Mr. Sprowls advised his client to refuse all plea offers and to remain ready for trial.

The co-defendant was subsequently indicted and his case was transferred to County Court where he is looking at a state prison sentence.

Mr. Sprowls' client is now a free man. Because Mr. Sprowls knew the law and the facts of the case, all of the charges were dismissed and the defendant is home with his family.