If you are a contractor in Philadelphia and a construction project goes wrong, it might become more than just an unhappy customer. Sometimes, a normal disagreement over a contract can turn into serious criminal charges.
Michael Kotik, Amato Sanita, William Weiss, William Burrows, and the defense team at SKA Law Group are Philadelphia criminal lawyers ready to step in and help protect your business.
A Lawsuit vs. A Criminal Case
Often, when a project isn’t finished or there are delays, a homeowner might just try to sue you in civil court to get their money back. However, in Philadelphia, the police and prosecutors can also get involved. If they believe a contractor purposefully took money by lying or making fake promises, they might file criminal charges for crimes like theft.
What makes the police start an investigation? They look for actions such as:
- Taking a large down payment and never returning to the job.
- Making constant excuses while refusing to give a refund.
- Lying about your license, insurance, or skills.
- Charging for materials or work that you never actually provided.
- Using one client’s money to pay for a totally different project.
What Are the Penalties of Construction Fraud?
If you are convicted of construction fraud, the punishments are very serious. Depending on the amount of money involved and your past record, a contractor could face:
- Jail or prison time.
- Probation.
- Orders to pay all of the money back to the customer (restitution).
- Heavy fines and court fees.
- Permanent damage to your business reputation and professional licenses.
How We Defend Your Business
Just because a project failed does not mean you committed a crime. Everyday issues like bad weather, a lack of workers, or simple arguments over how the work was done are normal business problems, not crimes.
When we defend your case, our main goal is to show that you did not have any criminal intent. We will carefully look at the evidence to show:
- If the job was mostly finished.
- If you were open and honest about any delays.
- If you spent the money on the correct job.
- That any promises you made were honest mistakes, not lies.
- That the whole situation is just a contract disagreement, not a theft.
Contact SKA Law Group in Philadelphia
With over 25 years of experience, the team at SKA Law Group protects our clients’ futures and fights for the best possible outcome. We know that one moment shouldn’t define your entire future. If your construction company is facing theft or fraud charges, reach out to our Philadelphia office today to request a consultation and start building your defense.
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FAQs: Criminal Charges For a Construction Job
What is the difference between a regular lawsuit and a criminal investigation for contractors?
Most of the time, customers think they just need to file a civil lawsuit to get their money back for an unfinished job. However, if investigators believe a contractor purposely planned to take money through lies or fake promises, the situation becomes a serious criminal investigation.
What actions can cause a contractor to face criminal charges?
Actions that can trigger a criminal investigation include taking a large down payment and walking away from the job, constantly making excuses while refusing to give a refund, and lying about being licensed or having insurance. Additionally, charging for supplies or work that was never provided, or using one client’s money to pay for a totally different project, can also lead to charges.
What happens if a contractor is convicted of construction fraud?
The punishments for these crimes can be harsh and depend on the amount of money involved, any past criminal record, and the number of people affected. If convicted, a contractor could face jail or prison time, probation, orders to pay all the money back (restitution), heavy fines, and the loss of their business reputation and professional licenses.
How do you defend against contractor theft charges?
When defending a case, the focus is heavily on proving there was no criminal intent and that the issue is simply a contract or business dispute. Defense strategies often involve looking at the facts to show if the work was mostly completed, if the customer was honestly told about any delays, if the money was actually spent on project-related costs, and that any promises made were honest mistakes rather than intentional lies.
Which lawyers can help defend my construction company?
Michael Kotik, Will Weiss, Amato Sanita, William Burrows, and the experienced team at SKA Law Group handle criminal defense for these types of cases. They will closely review the facts and build a strong strategy to protect your freedom and future.