The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies has approved a bill to combat fraud committed by fake lawyers, establishing penalties for new crimes related to impersonation in the legal profession.
On Tuesday, October 17, the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies passed a bill aimed at addressing the growing issue of fraud perpetrated by false lawyers. This legislation is intended to prevent, detect, repress, and remedy fraud committed by individuals impersonating legal professionals. The bill introduces new criminal offenses, specifically targeting electronic procedural fraud through professional impersonation and the misuse of access credentials to the justice system.
The first offense outlined in the bill involves obtaining unlawful advantages by misleading individuals into believing that the fraudster is a legitimate lawyer or other legal professional, often by using confidential information extracted from legal proceedings. For this crime, penalties range from four to eight years of imprisonment, with additional enhancements of one-third to double the sentence if the offense involves multiple victims or if it occurs across state lines. Notably, if a practicing lawyer engages in this fraudulent activity, their sentence could be increased by two-thirds.
The second crime addressed in the bill concerns the misuse of legal credentials, including their loan or sale, with the intent to acquire personal, procedural, or confidential data, interfere in legal proceedings, or facilitate unlawful activities. This new legislation represents a significant move by Brazilian lawmakers to enhance legal protections and ensure the integrity of the legal profession, indicating a proactive approach to eradicating legal fraud in the country.
