Waukesha County Identity Theft Attorneys

Lawyers in Brookfield for Those Charged With Fraud and Misrepresentation

Each year, millions of Americans are affected by identity theft. Not only is identity theft, in all its forms, on the rise, but it is also among the fastest-growing crimes across the nation. Like many other states, Wisconsin takes a hard line against fraudulent behavior, including identity theft, and the penalties for a conviction can be severe. If you are facing charges related to identity theft or any other fraud-related white-collar crime, the experienced attorneys at Bucher, Wolff & Sonderhouse, LLP are ready to help you.

Understanding Wisconsin Laws Against Identity Theft

The actions and behaviors that are most commonly associated with identity theft are addressed under Wisconsin State Statute 943.201, and the offense is officially known as "unauthorized use of an individual's personal identifying information or documents." Under this law, it is illegal for a person to use another individual's personal information for the purposes of:

• Obtaining money, credit, services, goods, or anything else of value or benefit;
• Avoiding criminal or civil processes or penalties; or
• Harming the individual's reputation, person, property, or estate.

The law also defines personal information as the individual's:

• Name, home address, and phone number;
• Driver's license number;
• Social security number;
• Employer and employee number;
• Mother's maiden name;
• Taxpayer identification number;
• Account numbers and personal identification numbers (PINs);
• Login names and passwords;
• DNA profile, fingerprint, retina scan, and any other biometric data; and
• Any other information that is associated with a particular person.

Under this law, if you use another person's credit card without his or her permission to buy anything, you have committed identity theft. Likewise, if you are pulled over by the police and you present yourself as someone else, you have committed identity theft as well.

Identity theft in Wisconsin is a Class H felony. If you are convicted you could face criminal penalties of up to six years of incarceration and up to $10,000 in fines. As the internet has made accessing other people's information easier than ever before, district attorneys throughout the state often push for the harshest possible penalties in identity theft cases, even for first offenders.

Menomonee Falls Attorneys Protecting Your Future

Attorneys Peter Wolff and Ronald Sonderhouse have more than 40 years of combined criminal law experience and a long history of success in criminal cases, including many related to identity theft. At our firm, we understand what is at stake when you are accused of stealing someone else's identity. Whether you have been charged with opening a new account using another person's information, obtaining medical services under another person's name or insurance, or taking over another person's entire identity, our team is equipped to help.

When you contact Bucher, Wolff & Sonderhouse, LLP to help with your case, we will go right to work in investigating the circumstances of your arrest and the details surrounding it. In order to secure a conviction, prosecutors will need to show that you intentionally used or intended to use another person's information for your own personal gain or to harm the other person. This means that if you had the other person's permission to use the information, you did not commit a crime. Our team will examine the evidence against you and develop a strategy designed to help you avoid a conviction and minimize the damage to your future.

Call 262-232-6699 Today

For more information about how we can help you defend against charges of identity theft in Wisconsin, contact our office. Call 262-232-6699 to schedule a free consultation and case review today. Our firm serves clients in Waukesha, New Berlin, Muskego, Brookfield, Pewaukee, Delafield, Menomonee Falls, Oconomowoc, Milwaukee, Waukesha County, Milwaukee County, and throughout southeastern Wisconsin.