Unemployment Fraud in Utah - Criminal Defense Lawyer Salt Lake
Unemployment insurance fraud in Utah is dealt with in both civil
and criminal proceedings. Criminal charges for unemployment insurance
fraud are typically prosecuted at the felony level. If you are facing
criminal prosecution for unemployment insurance fraud in the Utah criminal court system, it is
vital to have an
experienced Utah
criminal defense attorney on your side.
Stephen Howard has
successfully protected his clients rights in a many
fraud and other
related criminal cases.
Contact us today to schedule an initial
consultation
Elements of a Criminal Unemployment Insurance Fraud Charge in
Utah
Most Utah criminal charges for unemployment insurance fraud begin with
civil proceedings. If the Utah Department of Workforce Services finds
that you have
received unemployment benefits through fraud, you can be required to
pay back the unemployment benefits you received in addition to facing a
civil penalty equal to the amount of the benefits you received. You
also may lose eligibility to receive
unemployment benefits for up to 49 weeks. Your case also may
be submitted to the Utah Attorney General's Office or other local
prosecutors to be screened for
criminal prosecution.
Criminal charges for unemployment fraud in Utah (sometimes referred to
as "false statements regarding unemployment compensation") require
evidence that a person has made a false statement or representation
knowing it to be false, or knowingly fail to disclose a material fact
in order to obtain benefits, increase a benefit, or obtain other
payments Utah's Employment Security Act or under other state or federal
unemployment compensation law.
IMPORTANT
NOTE: The elements of a Utah criminal charge for unemployment insurance
fraud are different from the elements that the Department of Workforce
Services must establish in the civil/administrative proceedings. Even
if you have been found to have received benefits through "fraud" in an
administrative hearing, it is important to have competent legal counsel
in the criminal case.
Penalties for Unemployment Insurance Fraud Convictions in Utah
The level of an unemployment insurance fraud charge in Utah depends on
the money or value of benefits either actually obtained or sought to be
obtained. Amounts or values less than $1,500 qualify as
misdemeanor
charges. If the amount or value is or exceeds $1,500 but less than
$5,000, the charge can be filed as a third degree
felony with a
potential prison term of up to five years and $5,000 in fines.
If the value or amount is or exceed $5,000, the charge can be filed as
a second degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison and
$10,000 in fines.
Finding a Utah Criminal Defense Lawyer in Salt Lake
If you have been charged with unemployment fraud in Utah's criminal
courts, you need an experienced Utah
criminal defense attorney to
ensure that your rights are protected. Based in Salt Lake City,
criminal lawyer Stephen Howard has the experience necessary to help you
achieve the
results you need.
Contact us now to
schedule an initial consultation.

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