In certain types of fraud rings, legal or medical professionals may recruit customers or patients in order to improperly pursue claims against insurance companies, public health programs, or others. Those professionals will often employ a third party, known as a “runner,” to refer business to them to further the fraud scheme.
Under Use of Runners (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-22.1), it is a crime of the third degree to employ a person as a runner, or to act as a runner for a fraud scheme. Penalties for conviction include three to five years in prison and a fine of $15,000. The court has discretion under the statute to sentence an offender to probation or another non-custodial term of imprisonment when the court believes that prison would present a greater injustice.
Obviously, working with a strong criminal defense team is the best way to avoid the worst consequences of conviction under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-22.1, whether you are alleged to have employed runners or acted as one. A strong defense may mean that charges are dropped, reduced, or defeated in court, but even in the worst case scenario, a good lawyer may help you avoid time in prison. Matthew Reisig has successfully defended clients in New Jersey for nearly 20 years. Call 732-625-9661 today and talk to an experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney for free.