The concept of Securities Fraud encompasses a broad range of unlawful actions that involve manipulating financial markets or deceiving investors in stocks or commodities. If you earn your living entirely or partly in commodities or stock trading, you should be aware of the risks in the field. A good place to start is understanding the securities fraud definition used by federal law enforcement and the securities fraud penalty range.
If you have been charged with this crime, we can provide you with a free case review and advise you on your legal options.
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- What is Securities Fraud?
- Types of Securities Violations
- Punishment for Securities Fraud in Boise, Idaho
- Top Securities Fraud Attorneys in Boise, Idaho
- Falling Into Securities Fraud Traps
- Best Securities Fraud Defense Lawyer in Boise, Idaho
What is Securities Fraud?
A securities fraud crime occurs when a person knowingly defrauds or attempts to defraud someone by a scheme involving securities or commodities governed by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Section 12. United States Code 18-1348 describes how a securities fraud crime is committed. See the list below for the kinds of actions that constitute securities fraud.
Types of Securities Violations
In a securities fraud case, the criminal charges you may face are based on the kind of involvement you allegedly had in the crime. For example, as an investor, you might be accused of fraudulent acts such as false financial statements, accounting fraud, insider trading, etc. As a broker, you might be accused of applying improper methods of valuation, financial fraud, disclosure or reporting violations, or other securities fraud crimes.
Some other securities crimes include:
- Embezzlement
- Foreign currency fraud
- Late day trading
- Advance fee violations
- Hedge fund fraud
- Insider trading
- Pyramid schemes
- Internet investment fraud
- Real estate fraud
- Other investment fraud
What Is the Punishment for Securities Fraud?
Being found guilty of securities fraud can bring a sentence of up to 25 years in prison, potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, or both. Because of the risk of such extreme penalties, if you expect to be charged with securities fraud, you will need to work with the best criminal defense lawyer Idaho has available to you.
Top Securities Fraud Attorneys
Stock investors concerned that their broker is violating the law in handling their portfolio can refer such legal matters to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), which monitors the equity markets and maintains oversight of brokerages. FINRA is a non-profit organization overseen by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The agency employs technology and securities market rules to help protect investors.
If you’re an investor or broker charged with securities fraud, you’ll need an Idaho securities fraud attorney. Sawtooth Defense Attorneys have over 100 years of combined experience in criminal law. Our group has extensive knowledge of the U.S. Code governing securities trading, FINRA regulations, and how strategies are being formulated on both sides of federal securities fraud cases. This expertise accounts for our proven ability to build the strongest possible defense for our clients in securities fraud cases.
Falling Into Securities Fraud Traps
If you invest in securities and commodities, beware of signs that fraud may be occurring to help ensure that you do not become inadvertently involved. For example, don’t give your personal information (ID or credit card information) to anyone you don’t know over the phone to make a deal. Also, avoid stock or commodities sellers using high-pressure tactics, and steer clear of investments with ROI that sounds unrealistically high, etc.
If You are Accused of Securities Fraud, We Can Help You.
Sawtooth Defense Lawyers have decades of experience defending people in securities fraud cases. In some cases, we can get all charges quickly dismissed. Our meticulous research and aggressive approach enable us to build the strongest possible case for your defense in a complex federal financial fraud case.
