Los Angeles Voter and Election Fraud Attorneys
Charged with Election or Voter Fraud?
Being accused of either “election fraud” or “voter fraud” is a very serious legal problem. If convicted of either offense, the penalties imposed could change your life forever.
What Election Fraud?
Election fraud, or “electoral fraud” involves the accusation that a person interfered with the election process, such as in vote counting, certification, dissemination of false information about voting, or actions that intimidate voters to deter them from exercising their rights.
Electoral Fraud
- Vote Buying: Selling and buying votes is illegal under federal law. Any person who is believed to have offered money to vote (or not vote), or to vote for a certain candidate, will face fines and imprisonment.
- Ballot Box Stuffing: An election official may be accused of adding invalid ballots to influence the outcome of an election and could include failing to submit, destroying, or hiding mail-in votes from certain constituencies. This federal crime may be filed under the Civil Rights Act, Code §242.
- Voter Intimidation: Any form of voter intimidation is illegal, whether physical or economic. Intimidation, threats, or interference in a person’s right to vote is harshly punished under federal law. Officers of the armed forces or members of the civil, military, or naval service of the US, cannot be present at federal polling places unless specifically posted to repel armed enemies under 18 U.S. Code §592.
Voter Fraud
Voter fraud charges are filed against individual voters that are accused a range of illegal voting actions, which include:
- Impersonating a Registered Voter: This charge is filed if it is alleged that a person attempted to impersonate a registered voter or voted for them.
- Casting Multiple Votes: It is illegal to vote multiple times, with penalties of imprisonment up to five years, plus $10,000 in fines.
- Registration Fraud: A person who registers to vote who is not eligible to vote for any reason (such as not being a U.S. citizen), or provides false information in registering to vote is committing a federal offense under Title 52, Voting and Elections, §10307.
- Selling a Vote: It is a federal crime to sell a vote to any candidate. A person who accepts payment to vote or not vote, whether you perform the act or not, you can face severe penalties.
- Felons Voting: Depending on the state, a person who has a felony conviction may have lost the right to vote. In California, felons who are not currently serving a state or federal prison term and not found mentally incompetent can now register to vote.
- Non-Citizen Voting: It is illegal for any person who is not a citizen of the USA to vote in a federal election, or to falsely claim to be a citizen to gain the ability to vote in an election.
State and Federal Penalties for Voter Fraud or Election Fraud
A person accused of either election fraud may face charges both in state and federal court.
California Penalties
If convicted of voter fraud or election fraud in California, the penalties can include:
- Committing or attempting to commit voter fraud: Up to three years in state prison
- Tampering with a state voting system: Up to four years in state prison.
- Changing ballots: Fines up to $1,000 and up to three years in prison.
- Misleading a voter who needs help voting: Up to three years in prison.
- Interfering with the vote by mail system: Up to six months in jail and fines up to $10,000.
Federal Penalties
For voter intimidation, threats, coercion, you could face up to five years in federal prison and fines. The prison time and fines imposed will reflect the extent of voter fraud or election fraud.
Possible Defenses for Voter Fraud or Election Fraud
Every case is unique about how and why charges were filed. The first step is a thorough review and evaluation of the evidence. In many cases, errors can be identified that may lead to a dismissal of charges or other benefits. Some of the types of defenses that may be employed include:
- The accused did not commit the offense and is falsely accused.
- The accused believed they were a legal U.S. citizen at the time of the vote.
- Government records contained incorrect information regarding naturalization.
Contact Us When You Need a Talented Lawyer
If you are accused of either of these crimes, whether in state or federal court, or both, the quality, experience, and knowledge of your attorney will play a significant role in the outcome of your case. For legal representation from a highly-experienced criminal defense lawyer, connect with Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP immediately. Exercise your right to remain silent, and the right to an attorney before answering any questions from the authorities – it could make a difference in the outcome of your case.
Call (213) 688-0460 today for representation from a legal team that stands with you.
Contact Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP Today
Phone: (213) 688-0460 
Fax: (213) 624-1942
Recent Case Results
- Complete Dismissal of Molestation Charges
Attorney Mark Werksman’s 29 year old client was falsely accused of molesting two neighborhood children and was subsequently charged with felony child molestation, with a significant prison sentence hanging over his head should he be convicted. Instead, at the preliminary hearing Werksman was able to convince the court to grant his client a complete dismissal of any charges. - Decision Set Aside
Client, a college student in a faulty Title IX case, was awarded $130,000 in attorney fees. - Probation with No Jail Time for Drug Money Laundering Charge
Wilmington man accused in New York federal court of laundering drug money through the sale of laptop computers. Mark was able to get the case transferred to federal court in Los Angeles, where he convinced the United States Attorney to reduce the charges. His client was sentenced to probation with no jail time on a misdemeanor conviction.
