Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

Ark. Code Ann. § 5-36-202

Theft of public benefits

Applied in 1 court decision — leading case 69 Ark. App. 121 - Scott v. State (2000)

Most recently applied in 69 Ark. App. 121 - Scott v. State (February 2000)

Acts 1993, No. 320, §§ 2, 3; 2015, No. 1263, § 7.

(1) A person commits theft of public benefits if the person: Obtains or retains a public benefit from the Department of Human Services or any other state agency administering the distribution of a public benefit: By means of any false statement, misrepresentation, or impersonation; or

(2) Through failure to disclose a material fact used in making a determination as to the person's qualification to receive a public benefit; or

(3) Receives, retains, or disposes of a public benefit knowing or having reason to know that the public benefit was obtained in violation of this subchapter.

(4) Presentation of false or fictitious information or failure to disclose a material fact in the process of obtaining or retaining public benefits is prima facie evidence of purpose to commit theft of public benefits.

(5) Theft of public benefits is a: Class B felony if the value of the public benefit is two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) or more;

(6) Class C felony if the value of the public benefit is less than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) but more than five hundred dollars ($500); or

(7) Class A misdemeanor if the value of the public benefit is five hundred dollars ($500) or less.

(8) In addition to an extended term of imprisonment provided by § 5-4-501 for a habitual offender, any person who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of violating this section shall be imprisoned: For no less than seven (7) days for a second offense occurring within five (5) years of a prior offense;

(9) For no less than ninety (90) days for a third offense occurring within five (5) years of a prior offense; and

(10) For at least one (1) year for a fourth or subsequent offense occurring within five (5) years of a prior offense.

(11) In addition to restitution, any person who pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of violating this section shall be fined no less than: One hundred fifty dollars ($150) for the first offense;

(12) Four hundred dollars ($400) for a second offense occurring within five (5) years of a prior offense; and

(13) Nine hundred dollars ($900) for a third or subsequent offense occurring within five (5) years of a prior offense.

Current official text: Arkansas General Assembly. Digitized from the UniCourt Code Improvement Commission public-domain capture. Reproduced from public-domain Arkansas statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.