The elements of mail-fraud are the same as those in wire fraud. Both require the use of electronic communication or interstate communications. The punishment for criminals who commit the frauds is similar - imprisonment up to 20 years and a substantial fine. However, a conviction for financial institution fraud is more serious.
You must have been guilty of at least one of these crimes to be able to get convictions in mail fraud or wire fraud. These include the using the United States Postal Service or private interstate carriers or wire transmissions that are interstate. These methods are the most common kinds of wire and mail fraud, and there are numerous instances of each. If you're accused of any of these crimes prepare to defend yourself with strong defense.
A false claim that a defendant makes in order to gain an advantage won't result in an indictment for mail fraud, as long as it's not considered to be material or contains relevant details. Jurors may not be in a position to recognize the necessity requirement because it is so thin that it's virtually impossible to detect. A prime example of misrepresentation in economics is during commercial negotiations. However it is not clear under the law what exactly constitutes "materiality. It could refer to assertions that aren't exact, however they could be true or false depending upon the situation.
In addition to using mail from the U.S. mail to commit mail fraud, the prosecutor must establish that the defendant had intent to defraud the victim using false statements. The Eleventh Circuit pattern jury instruction stipulates that the claim must be fake in the event that the defendant "had any reason to believe" that it was not an accurate statement and intended to defraud the victim. Furthermore, the statement should be "made in a reckless disregard for the truth." If the statement is a partial truth or conceals a material fact however, it is significant.
The most important element of finding a guilty verdict in mail fraud is materiality. The federal court demands that the defendant be guilty of a fraudulent intention to defraud the recipient of their property. The evidence of materiality can be proved via direct evidence or irresponsible indifference. Even if the plan failed there is still a possibility to be guilty of mailfraud. A defendant may be found guilty of fraud by mail based on false claims of a product or service, even though they were not directly involved.
The most important issue to ask in a mail-fraud case is "How do I prove that mail fraud in court?" The prosecution doesn't have to show that the defendant in fact mailed the item, but only that he caused it. The government is not required to prove that the defendant was aware that they were sending the item. If the defendant steered a contract to a friend, for example, the defendant was in violation of his obligation to offer honest services.
Mail fraud is usually paired with corruption. John Wiley Price's case of bribery is a good instance. Federal prosecutors are fond of adding mail fraud charges to financial fraud cases. The most popular law and order crime show generally have a bribery theme and mail fraud, however, they are less popular. The aim of the court is to determine that the defendant was intent to defraud his clients.