John Pozza Attorney At Law, PLC Serving Murrieta
30 Years Of Legal Defense On Your Side

Fraud Lawyer in Murrieta

Criminal Defense for Fraud & Financial Crime Charges

Fraud charges carry more legal complexity than most financial crimes because prosecutors must prove what you intended, not just what happened. At John Pozza Attorney At Law, PLC, Attorney John Pozza brings over 30 years of criminal defense experience to these cases, with recognition from the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and a Superb Avvo Rating. When fraud allegations arise in Murrieta or the surrounding region, criminal cases are heard at the Southwest Justice Center, a branch of the Riverside County Superior Court located here in Murrieta.

Our fraud defense work is part of a broader white collar and financial crimes practice serving clients across Riverside, San Diego, San Bernardino, and Orange Counties.

Facing a fraud charge? Call us at (951) 461-7155 to schedule a confidential consultation and get a direct assessment of your case.

What California Prosecutors Must Prove in a Fraud Case

Most California fraud charges are filed under Penal Code 532, theft by false pretenses. To convict, the prosecution must establish three things: that the defendant made a false representation knowingly and by design, that the intent behind it was to defraud, and that the victim actually relied on that statement when parting with money, property, or labor. Each element must be proven independently.

One often-overlooked procedural hurdle: if the alleged false pretense was entirely verbal and no false document exists, the prosecution must produce a writing signed by the defendant, two witnesses, or at least one witness supported by corroborating circumstances.

Fraud charges frequently appear alongside related counts:

  • Forgery (Penal Code 470): Altering or fabricating documents with intent to defraud
  • Identity theft (Penal Code 530.5): Using another person’s identifying information without authorization
  • Embezzlement (Penal Code 503): Fraudulent conversion of property entrusted to the defendant

Penalties for Fraud Charges in California

The value of the alleged loss determines whether fraud is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. Property valued at $950 or less falls under petty theft, a misdemeanor carrying up to six months in county jail. Above $950, the charge becomes grand theft, a wobbler that prosecutors can file as either a misdemeanor or a felony carrying up to three years in state prison. A conviction at either level typically includes a restitution order requiring repayment to the alleged victim.

Larger alleged schemes can trigger Penal Code 186.11, the aggravated white collar crime enhancement. When a defendant faces two or more related fraud or embezzlement felonies involving a combined loss exceeding $100,000, this enhancement adds a consecutive prison term on top of the underlying sentence, imposes fines of up to $500,000, and authorizes the court to freeze the defendant’s assets before trial concludes.

When Fraud Becomes a Federal Case

A fraud scheme that crosses state lines or uses electronic communications can move from a California courtroom into federal court. Wire fraud, charged under 18 U.S.C. Section 1343, involves using interstate wire communications to execute a fraudulent scheme. Federal investigations often bring in the FBI or IRS, and a conviction carries exposure under federal sentencing guidelines that can exceed state penalties.

We represent clients in federal court for federal crime charges. If your case involves interstate conduct or federal agency involvement, that experience matters from the first interview forward.

How We Defend Fraud Allegations

Fraud prosecutions rise or fall on intent. A genuine belief that a statement was true, even a mistaken one, defeats the charge. That’s where our defense work begins: with a thorough case evaluation focused on what the evidence actually shows about your state of mind, not just what the prosecution alleges.

We take a client-centered approach grounded in the principle that you’re innocent until proven guilty. Our understanding of how prosecutors construct these cases informs how we challenge them: examining the evidentiary record, testing the prosecution’s proof on each required element, and identifying weaknesses before they reach a jury. Our goal in every fraud case is to reduce or dismiss the charges against our clients.

Schedule a Confidential Consultation in Murrieta

A fraud charge is serious, and early action can shape outcomes. The sooner we can review the facts, the more options we can identify. John Pozza Attorney At Law, PLC is available by phone or through our site’s contact form.

Call (951) 461-7155 to speak with our team and schedule your confidential consultation.

Meet Attorney John Pozza Providing Effective Advocacy

Dedicated to Defense of Your Rights since 1994 The law firm of John Pozza Attorney at Law, PLC was established to address the issues of anyone who faces trial and harsh punishments after a criminal arrest. John's strengths cover the gamut of criminal concerns, including pre-file investigation, arrests, verdicts and plea withdrawals, and school expulsions. He handles charges such as: DUI defense, including DMV hearings White collar, financial, and computer crimes "Three strikes" crimes...

View Profile

Hear From Our Satisfied Clients


    "At the end of looking around and speaking with others, John Pozza was the right choice."
    Choosing John was the best decision I made. I spoke with many different legal offices. It was stressful deciding who to choose. At the end of looking around and speaking with others, John Pozza was the right choice. You are not assigned some other lawyer. You deal directly with John and Tammy the whole time. They were so helpful, professional and kind. Do yourself a favor and book a meeting. Talk to John and explain exactly what is going on. You will walk out of his office knowing you are in good hands.
    - Alex
    "John is effective and efficient in the court room and kind and compassionate with his clients while explaining options and guiding you through a difficult process."
    John and Tammy are rockstars! Tammy is organized, communicative and on top of reminders and answering questions promptly and professionally. John is effective and efficient in the court room and kind and compassionate with his clients while explaining options and guiding you through a difficult process. They both advocated for us in a way that felt personal, not transactional. I highly recommend this dream team.
    - Kymberly
    "If you’re looking for professionalism, and people who will do their best, look no further."
    John Pozza has been great with the handling of my case. In addition to John and to be very honest, Tammy has been nothing short of excellent in her assistance. She’s very professional, timely in her responses and overall just great! If you’re looking for professionalism, and people who will do their best, look no further.
    - Jay T.
    "With any luck I’ll never need his help again but I certainly recommend him if you do."
    I was referred to John from another attorney regarding a misdemeanor charge I received from the Menifee Police Department. I thought it was bogus as I’m sure all of John’s clients would say and after meeting with him he felt he could help. John and Tammy got in touch with the DA’s office and were able to have the charge dismissed and save me a trip to court. They were both great to deal with and have a sense of humor too. John was very fair with his fee as well . With any luck I’ll never need his help again but I certainly recommend him if you do.
    - Laird C.
    "Outstanding"

    Outstanding and professional attorney and staff.

    - Karen P.
    "They made me comfortable when they took my case"
    Resolved my case quickly. John and Tammy are friendly and professional. They made me comfortable when they took my case. John is a very good lawyer.
    - Isabel J.
    "Rest assured you will receive top notch service from a lawyer who truly wants to help."
    With my unfortunate event that transpired, I was certain and confident with Mr. Pozza and his team would make the best out of a bad situation. John and Tammy are extremely professional, knowledgeable,and did their best to keep me calm throughout the whole ordeal. I was able to stay out of jail which was my biggest thing as I wanted to stay out of handcuffs and keep my job! It's extremely imperative if you are seeking legal counsel, to at least run your situation by Mr. Pozza. You only owe it to yourself to get his top rated opinion. They truly have been nothing short of amazing, and it has made all the difference. Every situation is different, but know if have Mr. Pozza, rest assured you will recieve top notch service from a lawyer who truly wants to help. I seriously can't thank them enough and look forward to an expungement process down the road!
    - Ruben
    "John is very skilled"

    Very professional, fast acting, and had a great outcome with my case. I highly recommend for all services John is very skilled.

    - Nick