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A fraud accusation rarely arrives all at once. It’s a letter from an investigator, a subpoena, a knock on the door, or a call from a bank’s fraud department, and then a scramble to figure out what it actually means for you.
A Louisiana fraud lawyer defends clients against charges built on financial or deceptive conduct, from state theft-by-fraud statutes to federal mail, wire, and bank fraud cases. Rozas Law Firm has represented clients across Louisiana since 2004, in both state and federal court.
Fraud charges move differently than most criminal cases. They often start with a paper trail instead of an arrest, and by the time you hear from law enforcement, an investigation may already be well underway. This page covers how Louisiana defines fraud, what separates a state charge from a federal one, and how Rozas Law Firm’s criminal defense team gets involved at any stage.
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What Counts as Fraud Under Louisiana Law?
Louisiana doesn’t have a single “fraud” statute. Instead, fraud-type conduct is charged under several sections of Title 14 of the Louisiana criminal code, each with its own elements and penalty range. Common state fraud charges include:
- Theft by fraudulent means and credit card fraud, charged under Louisiana’s theft statute (R.S. 14:67 and R.S. 14:67.3), covering unauthorized use of another person’s card or account
- Identity theft (R.S. 14:67.16), with penalties scaled to the value obtained, up to 10 years and a $10,000 fine once that value reaches $1,000
- Forgery (R.S. 14:72), covering signatures or documents falsified with intent to defraud
- Issuing worthless checks (R.S. 14:71), which can carry up to 20 years at hard labor once the check amount reaches $25,000
- Medicaid fraud (R.S. 14:70.1), investigated in Louisiana by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, carrying up to 5 years and a $20,000 fine
- Insurance, mortgage, and employee fraud, typically charged as theft or forgery depending on the specific conduct involved
Some fraud cases are prosecuted federally. Mail fraud, wire fraud, bank fraud, and certain healthcare fraud cases may fall under federal statutes rather than Louisiana’s criminal code, depending on the conduct and jurisdiction involved. Rozas Law Firm’s criminal defense team handles both tracks, and our federal fraud charges page goes deeper into how mail fraud, wire fraud, credit card fraud, and Medicare fraud are prosecuted at the federal level.
Do I Need a Lawyer If I’m Being Investigated for Fraud?
If you’re facing a fraud accusation or investigation, yes, and the presumption of innocence applies to you the same as it does in any other criminal matter. Being investigated or accused is not the same as being convicted, and a lot happens between those two points where a lawyer’s involvement matters. If you are facing a fraud investigation, a fraud defense lawyer in Louisiana can help you understand what the investigation may involve and what steps to consider before responding to investigators. If you’ve already been arrested or charged, a Louisiana fraud attorney can review the allegations, applicable statutes, and potential consequences based on the specific facts of your case.
Talking to investigators without counsel present can create problems even for someone who has done nothing wrong, since statements made early in an investigation 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 promise how an investigation or case will end. Speaking with counsel early may give your attorney more time to review the circumstances and advise you about your available options.
What to Do After Being Convicted of Fraud
A fraud conviction isn’t necessarily the end of the process. Louisiana law gives a convicted person 30 days from sentencing to file a motion for appeal, so that window matters if you believe legal or procedural errors affected your case. Beyond the appeal deadline, a few other issues commonly follow a fraud conviction:
- Restitution. Courts frequently order repayment to victims as part of sentencing, separate from any fine or prison term.
- Probation compliance. Many fraud sentences include probation with specific financial reporting or repayment terms that carry real consequences if violated.
- Professional licensing. Fraud convictions can trigger reporting obligations to state licensing boards for anyone in a licensed profession, since many boards treat fraud and theft convictions as a separate disciplinary issue.
- Expungement timing. Expungement eligibility depends on the offense, sentence, criminal history, and applicable Louisiana law. Some felony convictions may require waiting periods before eligibility can be considered, while some offenses may not qualify.
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Why Choose Rozas Law Firm to Help with Your Fraud Case
Rozas Law Firm has represented clients across Louisiana 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.
The firm maintains offices across the state, including the Baton Rouge office, the Lafayette office, and the Lake Charles office, with attorneys who work fraud cases in both Louisiana’s parish courts and its federal districts. Representation is available in English and Español, reflecting the communities the firm serves.
Facing Fraud Charges in Louisiana? Talk to Rozas Law Firm
Rozas Law Firm has defended state and federal fraud cases across Louisiana since 2004, with attorneys serving clients from Baton Rouge to Lafayette to Lake Charles and beyond. The sooner your case gets a real review, the more options tend to stay on the table. Schedule a consultation with the firm’s criminal defense team to talk through your situation and what comes next.
This page provides general information about Louisiana fraud charges and criminal defense representation. 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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