Have You Been Charged with Failure to Pay for Natural Products or Chattels in Georgia?
Fraud crimes in Georgia cover a multitude of topics from giving the wrong name to a police officer to identity theft to computer trespass. One of the lesser-known fraud crimes is the failure to pay for natural products or chattels. No matter what type of criminal offense you have been charged with, you must hire experienced representation to assist you. While the consequences may appear minor, even a misdemeanor conviction will have an impact on your future. If you or a loved one has been charged with failure to pay for natural products or chattels in Georgia, call us today and find out how we can assist with your case.
Georgia Law
According to O.C.G.A. § 16-9-58,
Any person, either on his or her own account or for others, who with fraudulent intent shall buy cotton, corn, rice, crude turpentine, spirits of turpentine, rosin, pitch, tar, timber, pulpwood, Christmas trees, pine needles, horticultural crops, poultry and poultry products, cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, ratites, horses, mules, pecans, peaches, apples, watermelons, cantaloupes, or other products or chattels and fail or refuse to pay therefor within 20 days following receipt of such products or chattels or by such other payment due date explicitly stated in a written contract agreed to by the buyer and seller, whichever is later, shall be guilty of failure to pay for natural products or chattels.
The Penalty for Failure to Pay for Agricultural Products or Chattel in Georgia
Failure to pay for natural products or chattel is generally treated as a misdemeanor conviction. Misdemeanors are punished by a fine up to $1,000, 12 months in jail, or both. However, if the value of the products or chattels exceeded $500.00, then the accused will be guilty of a felony. The punishment will be a prison term between one and five years.
Georgia Defenses
There are always Georgia Criminal Defenses our attorneys can use to defend your case. If the products or chattels were paid for on time, that would be a defense. Evidence that a contract or other document allowed for longer than 20 days to pay for the products would also be a sufficient argument. Additionally, the statute requires that there must be fraudulent intent. Any proof that the payment was not made due to an accident, oversight, or other reason separate from fraud would be greatly beneficial. We will investigate every angle of your case to prove that you did not fail to pay for natural products or chattel with fraudulent intent. It is in your best interest to call immediately after a charge or arrest to preserve evidence. Call now.
Contact Us
Lawson and Berry and their team of Georgia Failure to Pay for Natural Products or Chattels Lawyers have over 50 combined years of criminal defense experience. We are intimately familiar with the subtle differences that distinguish each of the crimes and will help you build a strong defense. We will investigate every detail surrounding your case and present all the options to you. Our office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your questions. Call now for a free case evaluation.
