DuPage County Bad Check Defense Attorneys

Representation Involving Financial Institution Fraud

Under Illinois criminal laws, a person can be charged with crimes involving fraud against financial institutions when they use deceptive practices like misrepresentations or lies to cheat a financial institution out of money or property. Charges related to deceptive practices involving financial institutions can involve something as basic as passing a bad check or a more sophisticated fraud scheme, such as submitting falsified documents to obtain a loan. The severity of the charge and the punishment will depend on the value of the property or money and the complexity of the scheme.

The national reputation of Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. is founded on over 30 years of successful results in representing those charged with misdemeanors and felonies. Our passionate defense of our clients’ rights, as well as our focus on communication with our clients has allowed our DuPage County fraud defense attorneys to earn accolades from a wide array of media outlets and publications. Our law firm has been featured on broadcast news media like NBC, ABC, CBS, Court-TV, Fox and national print media like The Financial Times, The New York Times, and the Washington Post. Our founding partner Donald Ramsell also has earned the Top 100 Trial Lawyer Award from the National Trial Lawyers.

Penalties for Financial Institution Fraud & Passing Bad Checks

If you are arrested for a first offense of financial institution fraud, you will be charged with a Class A Misdemeanor, which can result in a sentence that includes incarceration for up to a year in county jail and a fine up to $2,500 if the value of the property or money is $300 or less. If you have a prior conviction of a financial crime, a conviction of financial institution fraud involving a value of $300 or less, you can be convicted of a Class 4 Felony with a maximum term of incarceration of up to 3 years in prison and and/or a maximum fine of $25,000.

The penalties increase based on the value of the property or money at issue:

Between $301 and $10,000

• Class 3 Felony
• Maximum up to 5 years in the penitentiary and/or
• Fine up to $25,000

Between $10,001 and $100,000

• Class 2 Felony
• Maximum up to 7 years in the penitentiary and/or
• Fine up to $25,000

Over $100,000

• Class 1 Felony
• Maximum up to 15 years in a penitentiary and/or
• Fine up to $25,000

Vigilantly Defending Individuals Charged with Bad Checks 

Our DuPage County financial institution crime lawyers are committed to providing the most effective defense strategy to avoid a conviction or negotiate the best possible outcome. We invite you to call us today at 630-256-8001 or to send us an email to schedule your free consultation in our conveniently located office in Naperville. Ramsell & Kunowski, L.L.C. also has offices in Wheaton and in St. Charles or Rolling Meadows by appointment.