False Impersonation Attorney in Austin, TX

False impersonation is the crime of pretending to be another individual in order to deceive others and gain some advantage. In Texas, this law is taken very seriously. If convicted, you can face serious consequences including fines, jail time, and a permanent mark on your record. To avoid this, I can look at your situation and build a strong case to try to lessen your charges or try to get it dropped altogether.

In Texas, impersonating “a public servant with intent to induce another to submit to his pretended official authority or to rely on his pretended official acts” is considered a third degree felony,” as stated in Tex. Penal Code Ann. 37.11. Under this law, the individual being ‘impersonated’ doesn’t have to exist as an actual person. For instance, if you were to pull over a driver, show him or her a fake badge and tell him or her that you were going to receive a ticket for speeding unless they gave you a certain amount of money, you would be committing the crime of impersonating a public servant. Although the person on your fabricated police badge did not actually exist, you were still acting as though you held a position you, in fact, did not hold.

Under federal law, pretending to be “an officer or employee acting under the authority of the United States” to obtain “any money, paper, document, or thing of value” could result in up to three years of imprisonment as well as a fine. The law also covers false impersonation of other positions such as a foreign official, agent, or Red Cross member. Because it can be charged as a misdemeanor or even a felony, it is important that you never joke around with strangers pretending to be someone in authority who you are not. You could be reported and charged regardless of your innocent intentions.

A more recent impersonation law with which you could be charged became effective September 1, 2009. This law states that those who impersonate someone else online with the intent to intimidate, threaten, defraud, or harm can be charged with a Class A misdemeanor or a third degree felony.

Defense Against False Impersonation Charges

False impersonation is taken very seriously in the state of Texas. If you have been charged with such a crime, I will fight aggressively as your Texas false impersonation lawyer to have it removed or at the very least have the charge lessened to prevent future negative impact.