Getting into trouble for being dishonest is often easier than you may think.
In fact, you may find yourself in court if you’ve made any type of false claims against the government in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
This usually means submitting application or forms with false information on it.
If you’ve been accused of doing this, an Oklahoma state prosecutor may charge you with making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim.
If this happens, a Muskogee fraud defense attorney can help you.
Defining False Claims Against the Government
If you’ve provided wrong information to the state, a prosecutor may charge you under the theory that the information you provided was either false, fictitious or fraudulent.
Within the meaning of Oklahoma law, “false” refers to documents that have been wholly or partly fabricated or materially altered.
“Fictitious,” on the other hand, means imaginatively created past facts.
Finally, “fraudulent” means a false suggestion of facts or the suppression of the truth brought about through trickery, false appearance, or through any other unfair way in order to cheat.
These definitions are very broad, making it easier for a prosecutor to bring charges against anyone accused making false claims against the government.
When a False, Fictitious, or Fraudulent Statement is a Crime
Making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim to the state is only a crime under two circumstances.
First, it is illegal for a person, firm, corporation, association or agency to do so in order to receive a payment of public funds upon or against the state of Oklahoma.
Anyone charged with this crime can face a felony charge, two years in prison, and up to $10,000 in fines.
It is also illegal for anyone seeking employment with the state to make a materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation on an employment application, knowing such statement or representation to be materially false, fictitious or fraudulent.
Anyone found guilty of this crime will face a misdemeanor charge, up to one year in prison and up to $1,000 in fines.
In both cases, a prosecutor must prove that a defendant was aware that the information was either false, fictitious or fraudulent.
Low-cost Consultation: Muskogee Fraud Defense Lawyer
A conviction of false claims against the government can lead to jail time and fines.
If you or someone you know is faced with this charge, contact an experienced Muskogee criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible to protect your legal rights.
Call Wirth Law Office – Muskogee today at 918-913-0725 or toll free at 1-888-447-7262 [Wirth Law].
