Being faced with a criminal investigation is seldom easy. You may experience negative treatment at work or in your personal life as a result of the charges against you. You may even be suspended from work during the course of the case. Even so, if you become involved a federal investigation, it can be helpful to cooperate as much as possible and immediately contact an attorney in order to avoid implicating yourself further.

In a recent case in South Carolina, a 50-year-old woman has been charged with financial transaction card fraud. Her arrest followed the release of several photographs thought to be of the woman in question. She is accused of making charges on a stolen credit card at multiple locations, including gas stations and a pharmacy, in April 2014. She was arrested by Florence Police Department the day after the photos were released.

If she is proven to have used the stolen card, the legal repercussions could be severe and she could be facing a federal offense, depending upon the full nature of any further charges against her. In the meantime, this woman faces the strains of being under investigation. Furthermore, the release of her photograph could mean that suspicion of her involvement in the alleged crime becomes public knowledge in her local community. This in turn could have a significant impact on her reputation.

It is rarely easy to get to the bottom of a federal crime. However, a charge does not guarantee a conviction, so if you have been accused of such a crime, all is not lost. An attorney can help you build your defense and assist you in presenting your side of the story to the court. With the right guidance, you may be able to reach a more favorable verdict or perhaps avoid conviction altogether.

Source: WTBW, “Arrest made after stolen credit card spree throughout Florence, police say,” June 26, 2014