Sometimes telling even what seems like a “white lie” can be treated as a serious legal matter in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
This is especially true if you are accused of lying on a claim for public money from the government in Oklahoma.
If caught, you may be accused of making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim, which is a felony in Tahlequah.
If this has happened to you, contact an experienced Tahlequah attorney today.
About Lying To The Government In Oklahoma
Lying to the government in Oklahoma can lead to criminal liability under the false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims law.
Under Oklahoma law, “false” documents are those that have been wholly or partly fabricated or materially altered.
“Fictitious” information is defined as “imaginatively created past facts.”
“Fraudulent” information is 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.
Any information which satisfies any of these three definitions in a claim for public funds or an employment application in Oklahoma constitutes lying to the government in Oklahoma, and can subject you to a criminal charge.
When A False, Fictitious, Or Fraudulent Statement Is A Crime
Making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim is a crime under two circumstances:
1) When a person, firm, or corporation, association, or agency attempts to receive money from the state by making a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim to the state.
This can result in a felony conviction, and two years in prison, along with $10,000 in fines. Okla. Stat. tit. 21 §§ 358A, 359
2) Any person who applies for a job with the state government by making a materially false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation on an employment application can also face a criminal charge.
Thus, lying to the government on a state job application in Oklahoma can result in a misdemeanor conviction, up to one year in prison, and up to $1,000 in fines.
Low-cost Initial Consultation: Tahlequah Fraud Defense Lawyer
A charge of making false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements in Oklahoma can lead to a felony conviction and other serious consequences.
If you or someone you know is accused of lying to the government in Oklahoma, please call a Tahlequah felony defense lawyer at 918-458-2677.
If you prefer written correspondence, send us your legal question using the form at the top right of this page.
