CALIFORNIA CRIMINAL LAWYERS

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Los Angeles False Impersonation: Understanding the Crime and Legal Defenses

False impersonation, also known as impersonation, is a criminal offense in Los Angeles that can lead to severe legal consequences. This crime is committed when one falsely pretends to be another person, either in a private or public capacity, and performs acts that can lead to the person being impersonated being held accountable for prosecution, lawsuit or becoming obliged to pay money, or which may benefit the offender.

Penalties for False Impersonation

False impersonation in Los Angeles is considered a “wobbler” offense, meaning that the prosecutor can charge the offender with either a felony or misdemeanor, with the decision based on the nature of the allegations and the defendant’s criminal history. For misdemeanor false impersonation, the penalties can include one year in jail, a $10,000 fine and/or a misdemeanor summary probation, while felony impersonation carries more severe sentences, such as formal probation, two to three years in prison, and/or a fine not exceeding $10,000. Offenders convicted of false impersonation are not allowed to own or hold firearms.

Legal Defenses

If you are charged with false impersonation in Los Angeles, an experienced fraud crime attorney can come to your defense. The defense attorney will evaluate your situation and provide legal advice on whether the following defenses can be applicable to your case:

1. No Additional Act Committed

An essential element of false impersonation cases in Los Angeles is that the offender should perform another act beyond falsely presenting himself/herself as another party. This additional act should be entirely distinct from merely introducing oneself as another person. For example, presenting an identification card or other documents of the person you are impersonating does not count as an additional act.

2. No Direct/Indirect Benefit Derived from the Impersonation

Performing a new act does not necessarily make a person guilty of impersonation. The additional action should either create a financial or legal liability for the individual being impersonated or provide an unwarranted benefit to the offender.

3. Falsely Accused and Wrongly Identified

Outright innocence is the most effective defense against false impersonation charges. If you and your attorney can gather sufficient evidence to prove that you were falsely accused or wrongly identified, the charges can be dismissed. For instance, if someone impersonated another person and you confronted him, but he went ahead and reported you as the offender, you could launch a false accusation defense. Various scenarios exist where a person may be falsely accused, and this requires criminal defense lawyers with the appropriate experience to help navigate such cases.

Conclusion

False impersonation is a serious criminal offense in Los Angeles, and anyone charged with such an offense should consult an experienced criminal defense attorney immediately. Such an attorney can appreciate that false impersonation charges may arise from a temporary judgment lapse and strive to provide the possible legal representation to their client. Remember also that the legal consequences of a conviction for false impersonation can be severe, and it is therefore essential to take such matters seriously and work with a skilled attorney to avoid the worst possible outcome.