Benefits fraud, a serious offense in Phoenix, involves intentionally deceiving government agencies to receive benefits you’re not entitled to. These benefits include welfare, unemployment, disability, Social Security, and food stamps. Arizona law categorizes benefits fraud as a form of theft, which can result in severe legal consequences. The charges can range from Class 6 to Class 2 Felonies, which can impact your entire life. We understand facing a situation like this can be overwhelming, and we’re here to help.
At Charity Clark Law, our team always leads with compassion and understanding. Our out-of-the-box strategies help our clients build a solid defense against benefits fraud allegations. We have 12+ years of felony trial experience and the in-depth case law knowledge necessary to fight for your freedom. We offer a completely free consultation so you can sit down with our criminal defense attorney and explain your situation. During this meeting, we’ll gather every detail of your case - big and small. We’ll also explain what you can expect moving forward based on the prosecutor assigned to your case. Once you have all the information necessary, you can decide who should represent you. If you choose us, we’ll do all we can to fight for you.
There are several types of benefits fraud in Arizona. These are the most common types we’ve come across:
At Charity Clark Law, we have experience with all kinds of benefits fraud. Our legal team takes a creative approach to complex cases, ensuring you have a sound argument against the charges.
The charges and penalties for benefits fraud in Arizona depend on the value of the benefits obtained.
Law enforcement classifies these charges according to the following criteria:
In addition to prison sentences, offenders can face substantial fines, restitution payments, and probation. Felony charges also have a serious impact on livelihood moving after sentencing.
You can lose civil rights like voting, owning a firearm, serving on a jury, joining the armed forces, and more. You may also face difficulties finding decent employment or housing.
Common Defenses Against Benefits Fraud Charges in Arizona
At Charity Clark Law, we build a custom defense based on the circumstances of your case. With that in mind, there are some common strategies we can include to strengthen your defense.
We’ve listed these strategies below.
Lack of Intent
To be convicted of benefits fraud, the prosecution must prove that the defendant intentionally provided false information. If we can show that the misrepresentation was accidental or due to a misunderstanding, this can be a strong defense.
Insufficient Evidence
The prosecution must provide substantial evidence to support a valid fraud charge. With the help of case law knowledge, we can challenge the adequacy and validity of the evidence, potentially leading to a dismissal or reduction of charges.
Mistaken Identity
In some cases, an individual might be wrongfully accused due to identity theft or clerical errors. Proving that the accused did not commit the fraud can lead to an acquittal.
Procedural Errors
If the investigation or arrest procedures were flawed, such as violating the defendant's rights, we can argue for the exclusion of improperly obtained evidence, which can weaken the prosecution's case.
Honest Mistake
We may even argue that you made an honest mistake in reporting information without the intent to deceive. This defense can be particularly compelling if you have a history of compliance with any other benefit agencies.
Our team is willing to take a close look at every detail of your case to craft the best defense possible. Together, we will fight for you.
Charity Clark is one of the smartest attorneys I’ve ever met. She is aggressive, intelligent, and not afraid to fight for you. Her trial skills are unmatched. She knows how to handle a jury and argues the law like a champ. She will champion her client until the end and achieves real results.
Charity was amazing and took care of everything. She answered all my questions quickly and was so polite. They took care of my case with ease and definitely took a load off my shoulders. Not only did they both do great work they got the response from the court we were hoping for. Charity is "THE BEST".
At Charity Clark Law, our legal team brings creativity to complex cases such as benefits fraud charges. With our firm’s 12+ years of felony trial experience and a history defending crimes of this nature, your case will have a strong and strategic defense completely custom to your circumstances.
We provide a free consultation with our criminal defense attorney to discuss your specific charges. This evaluation helps us build a unique quote that fits each aspect of your case. Our defense attorney will also give you an understanding of what you will potentially be faced with based on the prosecutor assigned to your case and the court that will be handling your case. Once that consultation is complete, you will have all of the crucial information necessary to decide if our firm will represent you in your case. Give us a call or message us using our contact form to schedule your free consultation.
