An arrest for insurance fraud can upend your entire life in a matter of hours. One moment you’re running a business, filing claims, or managing a contracting crew, and the next you’re facing felony charges carrying years in state prison. Florida has rapidly expanded its enforcement, and investigations are now reaching into industries far beyond what most people would expect.
At The Wiseman Law Firm, we have defended individuals facing fraud charges across multiple counties in Florida, including first-degree felony allegations carrying decades of potential prison time. Our founding attorney, Simon Wiseman, is a former prosecutor who tried over a hundred jury and non-jury trials during his time in the Orange County State Attorney’s Office. He now brings that prosecutorial insight to clients caught up in the State of Florida’s intensifying fraud enforcement efforts.
How Florida’s Fraud Enforcement Climate Has Changed
Florida’s Department of Financial Services (DFS) has significantly expanded its investigative reach in recent years. The Division of Investigative and Forensic Services, which operates as a law enforcement and forensic agency under DFS, now probes insurance fraud, workers’ compensation fraud, and a range of financial crimes across the State of Florida. Legislative changes passed in 2023 further expanded the division’s authority, allowing it to initiate investigations rather than just respond to referrals.
This broader mandate has translated to a sharp increase in fraud-related arrests affecting contractors, healthcare providers, adjusters, real estate professionals, and business owners. What were once considered routine business practices in some industries are now being scrutinized as potential criminal activity, leaving people who never expected to face criminal charges suddenly in need of a defense attorney.
What Charges You May Be Facing
Under Florida Statute 817.234, a person commits insurance fraud by presenting a statement in support of an insurance claim while knowing the statement contains false, incomplete, or misleading information. The penalties scale based on the dollar amount of the alleged fraud, and the consequences are severe. Common charges in these cases include the following:
- False and fraudulent insurance claims, which can rise to a first-degree felony when the alleged amount exceeds $100,000
- Impersonation of a public adjuster, a third-degree felony under Florida law
- Fraudulent use of personal identifying information, which carries second-degree felony penalties
- Unlicensed contracting charges, which may be filed alongside fraud allegations
Even a third-degree felony conviction in Florida can result in up to five years in prison. A first-degree felony conviction may carry up to thirty years. These are not charges anyone should attempt to handle without experienced legal counsel.
Why These Cases Require a Criminal Defense Approach
Many people charged with insurance fraud have never set foot inside a courtroom. They may have operated a legitimate business for years before an investigation turned their livelihood upside down. Some are independent contractors who followed the instructions of a larger company. Others are professionals accused of submitting claims the State of Florida now considers fraudulent, even though the underlying conduct was once considered standard.
The Prosecution’s Strategy
DFS investigators and state prosecutors often pursue these cases aggressively, building files over months before making an arrest. By the time you learn that you are being investigated, the State of Florida may already have a substantial amount of evidence compiled. That head start makes early legal intervention critical.
Building a Strong Defense
A former prosecutor turned criminal defense attorney knows how the State of Florida constructs these cases because he has built them himself. Attorney Wiseman’s background allows him to identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence, challenge the credibility of investigative methods, and evaluate whether the charges are legally sound. His track record includes multiple dismissed fraud cases, including felony charges dismissed through pre-trial diversion and c(4) motions.
Steps to Take After a Fraud Arrest in Florida
If you have been arrested or just learned that you are under investigation for insurance fraud, the decisions you make in the first few days may shape the outcome of your entire case. Acting quickly and strategically can make the difference between a conviction and a dismissal.
Protect Yourself Immediately
Do not speak with investigators, insurance company representatives, or anyone involved in the case without your attorney present. Anything you say during an investigation can and will be used against you, and many defendants unknowingly damage their own cases before they ever retain a lawyer. Even seemingly cooperative statements can be reframed by prosecutors as admissions of guilt.
Hire a Criminal Defense Attorney With Trial Experience
Insurance fraud charges fall under the umbrella of white-collar crimes, but they are prosecuted with the same tools used in any criminal case. You need an attorney who is prepared to go to trial, not one who simply negotiates plea deals. Attorney Wiseman has tried cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital felonies throughout his career, and he treats every mortgage fraud, insurance fraud, and contractor fraud case with the same level of preparation.
Contact The Wiseman Law Firm for Insurance Fraud Defense
Florida’s fraud enforcement landscape is more aggressive than it has ever been, and investigations are sweeping through industries across the State of Florida. We have a proven record of achieving dismissed charges in fraud cases, backed by Attorney Wiseman’s more than 25 years of trial-tested experience as both a former prosecutor and criminal defense attorney.
If you or someone you know has been charged with or is under investigation for insurance fraud in Florida, the time to act is now. Reach out to The Wiseman Law Firm to discuss your case and learn what options may be available to you.