When a home improvement project or construction job falls apart, unhappy clients usually want their money back. However, what might seem like a standard business disagreement can sometimes turn into serious criminal charges in Delaware County. If you are a contractor accused of taking money without doing the work or scamming a customer, Attorney William Burrows and the team at SKA Law Group can help protect your rights and your business.

A Regular Lawsuit vs. A Criminal Investigation

Most of the time, a frustrated homeowner will just try to sue you in civil court to get a refund. But, if local police and prosecutors look at the complaints and believe you purposefully tricked the customer to steal their money, they can file criminal charges like theft by deception.

Investigators in Delaware County might push for a criminal case if a contractor does things such as:

• Taking a large down payment and abandoning the job.
• Making repeated excuses while refusing to give the money back.
• Lying about having a valid license, insurance, or proper skills.
• Billing the customer for supplies or work that was never actually done.
• Taking money from one client to pay for a completely different project while hiding the truth.

What Are the Penalties?

Being convicted of contractor theft can ruin your life and your business. The punishments depend on how much money is involved and if you have any past criminal record. A convicted contractor could be facing:

• Time in jail or prison.
• Probation.
• Being ordered by the court to pay all the money back to the customer, known as restitution.
• Huge fines and court costs.
• Losing your professional licenses and permanently damaging your business reputation.

How Attorney William Burrows Defends Your Business

Just because a project failed does not mean you committed a crime. Everyday problems like bad weather, a shortage of workers, shipping delays, or simple arguments over how the work looks are just normal business issues.

When defending your case, Attorney William Burrows focuses heavily on proving that you did not have any criminal intent. As a former Assistant District Attorney, he knows both sides of the courtroom and understands how these cases are investigated. Our defense strategy involves looking closely at the facts to show:

• That the job was actually mostly finished.
• That you were honest and open with the customer about any delays.
• That the customer’s money was actually spent on project costs.
• That any broken promises were simply honest mistakes, not intentional lies.
• That the entire situation is a contract dispute, not a crime.

Get Help in Delaware County Today

Attorney William Burrows and the SKA Law Group team bring decades of criminal defense experience to the table. If your construction company is facing an investigation or criminal charges for fraud or theft, you need a defense strategy that is built to protect your freedom. Contact Attorney William Burrows today to discuss your case in Delaware County.

FAQs: Construction Fraud or Theft Charges in Delaware County

What is the difference between a normal lawsuit and a criminal charge for a contractor in Delaware County?

Usually, an unhappy homeowner will file a civil lawsuit for a refund. However, if police and prosecutors review the case and believe a contractor purposefully tricked a customer to steal money through false promises, they can file serious criminal charges like theft by deception.

What actions can cause a Delaware County contractor to face criminal charges?

Investigators might pursue criminal charges if a contractor takes a large down payment and quits the job, makes constant excuses while refusing refunds, or lies about having a valid license or insurance. Billing for supplies never provided or using money from one client to pay for a different job can also trigger criminal charges.

What are the punishments for contractor theft in Pennsylvania?

The punishments depend on the amount of money lost, the number of victims, and your criminal history. A convicted contractor could face jail or prison time, probation, court-ordered restitution to pay the money back, huge fines, and permanent damage to their professional licenses and business reputation.

How does Attorney William Burrows defend construction companies against fraud charges?

The defense focuses on proving there was no criminal intent and that the issue is a normal business or contract dispute, not a crime. Attorney Burrows will look at the facts to show if the job was mostly finished, if delays were honestly discussed, if the money was spent on project costs, and if any broken promises were simply honest mistakes.

Why should I hire William Burrows for my Delaware County case?

Attorney William Burrows is an experienced Delaware County criminal defense lawyer with SKA Law Group. He previously served as an Assistant District Attorney, meaning he understands both sides of the courtroom and knows exactly how prosecutors build their cases against you.