When a construction job goes wrong, taking money without finishing the work, lying about materials, or using project funds for other reasons can turn a normal business disagreement into a criminal case. In Bucks County, prosecutors might charge contractors with serious crimes like theft by deception or theft of services.

Michael Kotik, along with the experienced team of Bucks County criminal lawyers at SKA Law Group, is ready to defend you against these serious allegations.

A Lawsuit vs. A Criminal Investigation

Most of the time, customers think they just need to file a regular civil lawsuit to get their money back for a bad job. However, if investigators believe a contractor purposefully planned to steal money through lies or fake promises, the situation becomes a criminal issue.

Actions that can trigger a criminal investigation include:

• Taking a large down payment and walking away from the job
• Constantly making excuses while refusing to give a refund
• Lying about being licensed or having insurance
• Charging for supplies or work that was never actually provided
• Using one client’s money to pay for a totally different project

How the Investigation Works

Before filing charges, police and prosecutors will closely review your contracts, text messages, bank account details, permits, and talk to witnesses. If they think they have enough proof, they will ask a judge for an arrest warrant.

What Happens if You Are Convicted of Construction Fraud or Theft?

The punishment for construction fraud can be harsh, depending on the amount of money involved and whether you have a past record. If convicted, a contractor could face:

• Jail or prison time
• Probation
• Orders to pay all the money back (restitution)
• Heavy fines and court fees
• The loss of their business reputation and professional licenses

How We Defend Your Construction Company

Not every unfinished project is a crime. Normal business problems like bad weather, labor shortages, delays, or simple disagreements over the quality of work are not criminal acts.

When defending a case, our team focuses heavily on proving there was no criminal intent. We will look at the facts to show:

• If the work was mostly completed
• If the customer was honestly told about any delays
• If the money was actually spent on project-related costs
• That any promises made were honest mistakes, not intentional lies
• That the situation is simply a contract dispute, not a crime

Get Help from SKA Law Group in Bucks County

Michael Kotik, Will Weiss, Amato Sanita, William Burrows, and the team at SKA Law Group handle criminal defense across Pennsylvania. If your construction company is being investigated or charged, our aggressive and experienced team will review the facts and build a strong strategy to protect your freedom and future. Reach out to our Bucks County office today to start your defense.

FAQs: Construction Company Criminal Charges

What is the difference between a normal lawsuit and a criminal investigation for contractors in Bucks County?

Most of the time, customers believe they just need to file a regular civil lawsuit to get their money back for an unfinished job. However, if investigators believe a contractor purposefully planned to steal money through lies or fake promises, the situation becomes a serious criminal issue.

What actions can cause a contractor to face criminal charges?

Actions that can trigger a criminal investigation include taking a large down payment and walking away from the job, constantly making excuses while refusing to give a refund, and lying about being licensed or having insurance. Additionally, charging for supplies or work that was never provided, or using one client’s money to pay for a totally different project, can also lead to charges.

What happens if a contractor is convicted of construction fraud?

The punishments for these crimes can be harsh and depend on the amount of money involved and any past record. If convicted, a contractor could face jail or prison time, probation, orders to pay all the money back (restitution), heavy fines, and the loss of their business reputation and professional licenses.

How do you defend against contractor theft charges?

When defending a case, the focus is heavily on proving there was no criminal intent and that the issue is simply a contract dispute. We look at the facts to show if the work was mostly completed, if the customer was honestly told about any delays, if the money was actually spent on project-related costs, and that any promises made were honest mistakes rather than intentional lies.

Which Bucks County lawyers can help defend my construction company?

Michael Kotik, Will Weiss, Amato Sanita, William Burrows, and the experienced team at SKA Law Group handle criminal defense across Bucks County. They will aggressively review the facts and build a strong strategy to protect your freedom and future