If you are facing prosecution or have been asked to attend a benefit theft interview it would be very sensible and wise to engage the services of a criminal defence lawyer who has expertise in this particular field of criminal law.
There are a number of reasons why you may have been accused of benefit theft by The Department of Works and Pensions. Basically, any change in your personal circumstance which you fail to report to them can be constituted as deliberately withholding information or deliberately trying to deceive.
Benefits fall into two different categories, those which are sanctionable and those which are not. However, if you are accused of a 'Two Strike' sanction both categories of benefits can be used.
A 'Two Strike' sanction is the term given to accusations of deliberate fraud which involves two different types of benefits.
Benefit which are included in the sanctionable category include:
* Housing benefit
* Income support
* Incapacity benefit
* Job Seeker's allowance
* Employment and support allowance.
These can be withdrawn or reduced during an investigation of benefit theft.
Benefits which are not sanctionable by themselves, but can be included in the 'Two Strike' sanction, if there are two benefit sanctions involving them include;
* Retirement pension.
* Disability Living Allowance.
* Pension Credit.
* Child benefit.
* Attendance Allowance
You may be visited by an officer from the Department of Works and Pensions or you may receive a letter asking you to attend an interview.
Many benefit theft investigations take months, if not years, to be compiled. If you are asked to attend an interview you will be expected to remember the smallest details which may go back over many months. This in itself can be very stressful and worrying.
Using the expertise of a criminal defence lawyer is highly recommend. They will be able to provide legal advice and guidance as well as representing you during your benefit theft interview.
To find a firm of lawyers who have criminal defence lawyer partners who are experts in the field of benefit fraud accusations simply go online and carryout a local search.
The search engines will produce a list of law firms in your area. From here you will be able to visit their websites and find out whether they offer criminal defence lawyers for benefit fraud accusations and prosecution.
It is also advisable to take a look at the testimonials on the websites from others who have engaged their services. This can give you the peace of mind that the defence lawyers will act in your best interest as much as they can.
As you will no doubt have to meet face to face with your criminal defence lawyer it makes logical sense to choose a law firm which is in your local area. The search engines will also produce location maps with pointer flags as to the exact location of the offices of the law firms. Driving directions and route plans can also be obtained from the search engines.
Attending a benefit fraud interview can be a very harrowing and stressful experience. Ensure you case is heard professionally by engaging the services of an expert criminal defence lawyer.
Author Resource:-
For further information on attending a benefit fraud interview contact DPP Law for professional legal advice
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