Can a 16 year old go to jail for credit card fraud?
Matthew Harrington
Updated on January 29, 2026
In addition to the identity theft itself, criminals can be punished under federal law for using devices that facilitate fraudulent activity, such as skimmers or other counterfeit access devices. Minor offenses can result in fines, jail time, or both, but felony-level credit card theft and fraud can lead to prison.
How long is juvie for credit card fraud?
The short answer is jail time for credit card theft in California ranges from six months to one year. However, the detailed answer is more complex. The specific amount of time you may spend in county jail for a credit card theft in California depends on the severity and circumstances of your criminal case.
Can a kid be charged with credit card fraud?
There’s no guideline in the FCBA that explicitly states that kids’ charges are fraud — it’s a gray area. Under the FCBA, you’re only liable for up to $50 in unauthorized charges, but you’ll need to write to the credit card company to take advantage of this protection.
How long is jail time for credit fraud?
Credit card fraud that involves the theft of the card or the number typically has a prison sentence of 1 to 5 years. Identity theft is treated much more harshly with prison sentences up to 10 or 20 years.
How many years can you get for credit fraud?
Penalties for Credit Card Fraud Under federal law, credit card fraud can be punished by up to 10 years in prison. A person convicted of credit card fraud could in some cases serve up to 20 years in prison depending on the circumstances of the case and the extent of the fraud.
How long do you go to jail for credit card fraud?
A credit card fraud case that goes to court and results in a conviction will typically get a prison sentence of four or five years, and more for severe cases. How does a court decide on the seriousness of the credit card fraud offence for sentencing purposes?
What’s the punishment for forgery of a credit card?
Forgery of a Financial Transaction Card: Felony punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 and 1-3 years of prison. Financial Transactions Card Fraud: Felony, punishment depends on that amount of money stolen as a result of the fraud. **Sentences typically include restitution to the victim(s).
What happens if you get arrested for credit card theft?
There are other ways that committing credit card theft or fraud can complicate your life. Once you’ve been arrested for fraud, it can be difficult to get a job or get approved for an apartment, Vacciana says. Depending on where you live you could lose the right to vote or the right to own a gun.
What is the punishment for a minor credit card offense?
Not only do states set their own penalties, but they also have their own guidelines for determining what constitutes a minor offense, a misdemeanor or what constitutes a felony. In some states, a minor credit card-related offense can lead to a fine, probation or a short stint in jail.