Identity Theft

Effective Defensive of Identity Theft Charges

Criminal defense lawyer Raymond D. Sprowls represents people who are charged with Internet-related identity theft.

What Is Identity Theft?

If you are found to have any hardware or software that intentionally intercepts another person's identifying information and you fraudulently use that information to gain a benefit, you can be charged with identity theft.

Identity theft can involve placing cookies, tracking software or spyware on another person's computer in order to obtain personal information, such as their name, address, phone numbers, Social Security number, credit card numbers, bank account passwords and usernames, etc.

A Sophisticated Approach to Criminal Defense

Effective defense of identity theft charges requires a sophisticated understanding of computer technology as well as a knowledge of the law, and an ability to apply it to the facts of the case. Raymond D. Sprowls, attorney at law, has what it takes to fight identity theft charges and win.

People who are charged with identity theft are likely to be charged with multiple other offenses. Depending on how you connect with the Internet, you will likely be charged with violating the terms and conditions of your Internet Service Provider's service agreement. These can be federal charges because of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) involvement in Internet access.

Knowledge of Technology and the Law

Mr. Sprowls is familiar with the technology involved in identity theft as well as the applicable laws and recent case decisions. His command of the subject benefits clients in many ways, including his ability to speak convincingly and knowledgeably to a jury about the technical and legal issues involved in these complex cases.

If you are facing identity theft or ID fraud charges, you need to speak to a lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact Raymond D. Sprowls, attorney at law. 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.