A fraud case in Baton Rouge rarely starts with handcuffs. More often it’s a letter, a subpoena, or a call from a bank’s fraud department, and then a scramble to figure out what it actually means and which court will end up handling it.
A fraud lawyer in Baton Rouge defends clients against charges built on financial or deceptive conduct, from state theft-by-fraud statutes heard in East Baton Rouge Parish courts to federal mail, wire, and bank fraud cases filed in Baton Rouge’s federal courthouse. Rozas Law Firm has represented clients in the Baton Rouge area since 2004.
Fraud charges move differently than most criminal cases, often building slowly through financial records and interviews before anyone is arrested. Rozas Law Firm’s criminal defense team has represented more than 11,000 clients since 2004, with a criminal defense team that handles fraud cases in both East Baton Rouge Parish courts and Baton Rouge’s federal court.
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What Counts as Fraud Under Louisiana Law?
Louisiana does not have one general criminal statute called ‘fraud.’ Instead, different types of alleged fraudulent conduct can be prosecuted under separate Louisiana statutes under several sections of Title 14 of the Louisiana criminal code, each with its own elements and penalties.Charges Rozas Law Firm defends in the Baton Rouge area include:
- Theft by fraudulent means, credit card fraud, and access device fraud under applicable Louisiana statutes, including R.S. 14:67, R.S. 14:67.11, R.S. 14:67.22, and R.S. 14:70.4.
- Identity theft (R.S. 14:67.16), with penalties scaled to the value obtained
- Forgery (R.S. 14:72) and issuing worthless checks (R.S. 14:71)
- Medicaid fraud (R.S. 14:70.1), investigated by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
- Insurance-related, mortgage, employee, and other financial misconduct can potentially lead to different criminal charges depending on the conduct alleged and the applicable Louisiana statute.
Other fraud allegations can involve tax fraud, healthcare fraud, internet fraud, insurance fraud, mortgage fraud, employee fraud, or other alleged financial misconduct Some alleged fraud conduct may also involve federal criminal charges. Federal cases follow a different court system and procedural rules, so anyone facing a potential federal investigation should obtain advice about the specific jurisdiction involved.
Louisiana also has separate statutes addressing credit card and access device offenses. Depending on the alleged conduct, a case may involve credit card fraud, fraudulent acquisition of a credit card, or access device fraud. The applicable statute and its specific elements can significantly affect the potential penalties and defense strategy.
Mortgage fraud is separately addressed under Louisiana law. R.S. 14:71.3 prohibits certain knowing fraudulent schemes and material misrepresentations connected with residential mortgage lending activity.
Louisiana also separately criminalizes computer fraud under R.S. 14:73.5. The statute covers accessing or causing access to a computer, system, or network with intent to defraud or obtain money, property, or services through fraudulent conduct.
Felony-level fraud charges arising anywhere in East Baton Rouge Parish, including Central, are heard in the 19th Judicial District Court at 300 North Boulevard. Federal fraud charges, including mail fraud, wire fraud, and bank fraud, are typically filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana, based in Baton Rouge, which covers East Baton Rouge, Livingston, and seven other parishes. For more on how federal fraud cases move through that court, our Baton Rouge federal crimes attorney page goes deeper, and our statewide Louisiana fraud defense page covers the full range of fraud charges across the state.
Do I Need a Lawyer After a Fraud Accusation or Investigation?
If you’re facing a fraud accusation or investigation in Baton Rouge, yes, and the presumption of innocence applies to you the same as in any other criminal matter. Being investigated or accused is not the same as being convicted, and early legal involvement gives an attorney more time to review the allegations, evidence, and available legal options.
Talking to investigators without counsel present can create problems even for someone who has done nothing wrong, since early statements are hard to walk back later. Getting a lawyer involved as soon as you know you’re being looked at gives someone time to review the evidence and advise you before you say anything on the record. No attorney can guarantee how an investigation or case will end, but early involvement generally means more options stay open.
What to Do After Being Charged With Fraud in Baton Rouge
A fraud charge does not mean you are guilty, and the consequences of a fraud case depend heavily on the specific conduct alleged, the statute involved, and the evidence supporting the charge. A Baton Rouge fraud defense lawyer can review the allegations, financial records, communications, and other evidence to determine what legal options may be available. Depending on the circumstances, those options may include challenging the evidence, addressing defects in the investigation, negotiating the charge, pursuing another available resolution, or preparing the case for trial. Getting an individualized legal review before entering a plea gives you an opportunity to understand the allegations and potential consequences before making decisions that may affect your record, finances, and future.
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Why Choose Rozas Law Firm to Help with Your Fraud Case in Baton Rouge
Rozas Law Firm has represented clients in the Baton Rouge area since 2004, with over 20 years of combined experience and more than 11,000 clients served in state and federal criminal matters. Founder David Joseph Rozas and Supervising Criminal Law Attorney Shea R. Smith lead a team backed by an in-house investigator and full-time paralegal staff, resources that matter in fraud cases built on financial records and documentation rather than a single incident.
Our firm’s Baton Rouge office sits at 7967 Office Park Blvd, with a downtown Baton Rouge location for immigration matters by appointment. Attorneys with our Baton Rouge criminal defense team appear regularly in East Baton Rouge Parish courts and are familiar with local court procedures. Representation is available in English and Español.
Facing Fraud Charges in Baton Rouge? Talk to Rozas Law Firm
Rozas Law Firm has defended state and federal fraud cases in the Baton Rouge area since 2004, with attorneys familiar with East Baton Rouge Parish courts and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. The sooner your case gets an individualized legal review by a fraud attorney, the more options tend to stay on the table. Schedule a consultation with our firm’s Baton Rouge criminal defense team to talk through your situation and what comes next.
This page provides general information about fraud charges and criminal defense representation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is not legal advice, and visiting this page does not create an attorney-client relationship with Rozas Law Firm. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different, and no attorney can promise a specific result.
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