When a business engages in fraud in the course of its normal operations, owners can be charged under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-7, Deceptive Business Practices. Prohibited conduct includes:
Conduct under the statute is normally a disorderly persons offense, which exposes you to up to six months in jail.
This level of charge would be called a misdemeanor in most states. More seriously though, you can be charged with a crime of the fourth degree if your business engages in fraud in obtaining property or credit, or uses fraud to sell securities.
Omitting required information in a securities sale is the same as providing false or misleading information.
Conviction at the fourth degree level can result in a sentence of up to 18 months and a fine of $10,000.
In the information age, business owners are under more pressure than ever, and customers have more tools available to scrutinize a company than ever before.
If you’ve been charged with practices that have been misconstrued as deceptive, you need help right away to protect yourself and your business.
If you or a family member are facing Deceptive Business Practices charges, call Matthew Reisig today at 732-625-9661 for a free consultation with an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney.
