Fraud Attorney in Columbia, SC

State & Federal Fraud Defense From a Former Prosecutor

A fraud allegation carries serious weight. Depending on the charge and which agency investigates, you could be facing felony penalties under South Carolina law, federal prosecution, or both. At The Law Offices of Marion M. Moses, LLC, we represent individuals charged with fraud-related offenses in Columbia and defend those cases in whichever court they land. Founder Marion M. Moses has practiced law in South Carolina since 2001 and is admitted to practice before both the South Carolina state courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina.

Call our Columbia office at (803) 770-4483 to schedule a free initial consultation with Marion M. Moses.

Fraud Charges We Defend

Our criminal defense practice covers a wide range of fraud-related offenses under both state and federal law. Penalties vary significantly by charge, so understanding exactly what you’re facing from the start matters.

Forgery
South Carolina’s forgery statutes cover forging or counterfeiting a writing, presenting a forged document, and altering a record or land plat. These offenses are charged as state crimes and can carry felony penalties.

Financial Identity Fraud
Under South Carolina Code Section 16-13-510, financial identity fraud is a felony carrying up to 10 years in prison. Courts are also authorized to order restitution to the victim.

Check Fraud
Writing a check on an account with insufficient funds or on a closed account can result in criminal charges. Depending on the amount involved, these cases can rise to the felony level.

Bank Fraud
South Carolina Code Section 34-3-110 makes bank fraud a felony with penalties up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The parallel federal statute carries penalties of up to 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine, reflecting how much higher the stakes can become when federal prosecutors are involved.

Mortgage Fraud
A state mortgage fraud conviction can carry up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Federal mortgage fraud convictions reach up to 30 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Securities Fraud
Under the South Carolina Uniform Securities Act of 2005, securities fraud carries up to 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine when losses exceed $20,000.

Tax Evasion
South Carolina treats tax evasion as a felony, with penalties up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Federal charges can add separate penalties on top of any state conviction.

Mail and Wire Fraud
Mail and wire fraud are typically prosecuted as federal crimes involving schemes to defraud conducted through electronic communications or the mail. Each count carries up to 20 years in federal prison.

Why Work With a Columbia Fraud Lawyer Who Knows Both Sides

Marion M. Moses spent five years as a state prosecutor for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit before entering private practice in 2007. That background shapes how he approaches a defense: he understands how prosecutors build cases, what evidence they rely on, and where the gaps in that evidence exist. When you work with our firm, you work directly with him from the initial consultation through resolution. No hand-offs to associates.

Moses is licensed before the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina in addition to all South Carolina state courts. Fraud charges are among the cases most likely to shift between state and federal jurisdiction depending on which agency investigates, and that admission matters. He is also a past president of the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and continues to serve on its board.

Call (803) 770-4483 to speak directly with Marion M. Moses about your situation. We offer free initial consultations.