Dallas Bank Fraud Defense Lawyer

Facing a bank fraud investigation in Dallas?

An FBI inquiry or a letter from a federal prosecutor can leave you unsure what happens next. Call Heath Hyde’s office at 903-439-0000 to discuss the matter. Explain whether you have received a subpoena, a target letter, or an indictment, or learned that a bank referred a matter for investigation. Give the office any deadline before getting into the history. Heath’s published practice information covers federal criminal defense and complex financial allegations in Dallas and elsewhere in Texas.

You can call for yourself or for a relative in custody. Attorneys seeking federal counsel can call too. Please name the person who needs a lawyer so the office can check conflicts. Heath must also review the requested work, jurisdiction and availability before agreeing to represent anyone.

What can counsel do before and after charges?

Before an indictment, a lawyer needs to see any subpoena and understand what investigators have requested. Which records need to be preserved? Have agents asked for an interview? Counsel can advise you about those decisions, review the statutes that may apply, and consider whether to approach the prosecutor. There may be useful work to do before charges. No lawyer can assure you that early involvement will prevent them.

If you have been indicted, bring the indictment and release papers. I need to read the accusation before discussing what comes next. A loan application, for example, may identify who signed it without showing who supplied a disputed figure. Discovery and interviews help answer that question. I use that work to prepare for trial and to assess any proposed resolution with the client.

Why is an email listed as a separate count? Which later payment does the prosecutor call laundering? Those are questions I would take back to the indictment and the original records. Proof of bank fraud does not automatically prove either additional charge. Read the federal bank fraud defense guide and charge map.

What exactly must the government prove?

Section 1344 has two clauses. One concerns a scheme to defraud a financial institution; the other concerns obtaining property it owns or controls through false or fraudulent pretenses. The accused must knowingly execute or attempt the charged scheme. Read the clause cited in your indictment. A separate § 1343, § 1014 or §§ 1956–1957 count has its own requirements. See the charge map and detailed explanations.

A defense built for records and a jury

People on a jury may never have seen the kind of loan file at issue in your case. They need to understand it before they can assess what it proves. Counsel may have thousands of pages to examine, from account statements to messages and ledger entries. An investigator’s summary should be checked against those original records. The defense needs to identify the alleged deception and the evidence connecting you to the bank and its property. Depending on the case, that may require a forensic accountant, interviews, a different timeline, motions addressing admissibility, or focused cross-examination.

Heath’s biography describes more than ten years as a Dallas County prosecutor, federal defense work, and his participation in a major healthcare fraud trial. At a consultation, ask about the financial cases relevant to your situation. Discuss what he did in those cases, who would work on yours, and what preparation might be needed if it goes to trial. Meet Heath Hyde.

For attorneys considering a referral

When calling 903-439-0000 about a referral, identify the parties, deadline and work you are asking Heath to handle. Client authorization, conflicts clearance, availability and an agreement are needed before work begins. Ask about secure file delivery before sending records.

Common questions

Should I wait until I am charged? You may face a deadline or an interview request before any indictment. You can seek advice as soon as you learn about the investigation.

Do you handle related wire fraud or laundering allegations? Federal fraud and money laundering are among the matters listed on Heath’s site. Call about the specific allegations. The firm will need to review the charges and check conflicts and capacity before agreeing to act. Explore the related charges.

Can you promise a dismissal or acquittal? No. The defense strategy and possible outcomes depend on the evidence, applicable law, and stage of the case.

Is this page only for Dallas residents? The page concerns Dallas and federal matters in Texas. You can call about a case elsewhere in Texas too. The office needs to discuss the venue, court admission, and proposed representation before accepting it.

Primary authorities: 18 U.S.C. § 1344; § 1343; § 1014; § 1956; § 1957.