Mortgage Fraud is usually a federal indictment.  This indictment is never alone.  There are always other counts including money laundering, wire fraud, mail fraud and bank fraud.  After 9-11 the FBI was directed to concentrate on anti-terrorism and leave many economic crimes to other agencies.  That has now changed and the mortgage fraud indicments are going to start appearing in federal court on a regular basis.  The base offense level can be a 6 or 7 on the sentencing guidelines.  This provides for a possible probation sentence.  However, if the loss exceeds $5,000.00 then the guidelines provide for a greater exposure of prison time.  The maximum term of imprisonment for the fraud indictment is usually 20 years.  Other counts can increase this exposure.  Mortgage brokers, realtors, lenders and borrowers are all possible defendants in a mortgage fraud indictment.   Our office is experienced in defending mortgage fraud cases in Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Miami, Savannah, Atlanta, Palm Beach and many other areas across the country.  A criminal defense attorney must research and investigate a mortgage fraud indictment at many levels.  A good investigator and expert witnesses will be needed for a great defense at trial. Call our office if you think you are being investigated or need representation on your case.