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advice. Due to the complexity of the legal system in the United States,
differing facts that may occur in a given case, interpretations statutes and
cases, anyone reading the content of this site must understand the need to
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Revenue & Tax Code Sections:
6487. (a) For taxpayers filing
returns, other than a return filed pursuant to Section 6452.1, on other than an
annual basis, except in the case of fraud, intent to evade this part or
authorized rules and regulations, or failure to make a return, every notice of a
deficiency determination shall be mailed within three years after the last day
of the calendar month following the quarterly period for which the amount is
proposed to be determined or within three years after the return is filed,
whichever period expires the later. In the case of failure to make a return,
every notice of determination shall be mailed within eight years after the last
day of the calendar
month following the quarterly period for which the amount
is proposed to be determined.
(b) For taxpayers filing returns on an annual
basis, except in the case of fraud, intent to evade this part or authorized
rules and regulations, or failure to make a return, every notice of a deficiency
determination shall be mailed within three years after the last day of the
calendar month following the one-year period for
which the amount is proposed
to be determined or within three years after the return is filed, whichever
period expires the later. In the case of failure to make a return, every notice
of determination shall be mailed within eight years after the last day of the
calendar month following the one-year period for which the amount is proposed to
be determined.
(c) The limitation specified in this section does not apply in
case of a sales tax proposed to be determined with respect to sales of property
for the storage, use, or other consumption of which notice of a deficiency
determination has been or is given pursuant to subdivision (a) or (b) or
pursuant to Section 6486, 6515, or 6536. The limitation specified in this
section does not apply in case of an amount of use tax proposed to be determined
with respect to storage, use, or other consumption of property for the sale of
which notice
of a deficiency determination has been or is given pursuant to
subdivision (a) or (b) or pursuant to Section 6486, 6515, or 6536.
6829. (a) Upon the termination,
dissolution, or abandonment of the business of a corporation, partnership,
limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited liability
company, any officer, member, manager, partner, or other person having control
or supervision of, or who is charged with the responsibility for the filing of
returns or the payment of tax, or who is under a duty to act for the
corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or
limited liability company in complying with any requirement of this part, shall,
notwithstanding any provision in the Corporations Code to the contrary, be
personally liable for any unpaid taxes and interest and penalties on those
taxes, if the officer, member, manager, partner, or other person willfully fails
to pay or to cause to be paid any taxes due from the corporation, partnership,
limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited liability company
pursuant to this part.
(b) The officer, member, manager, partner, or other
person shall be liable only for taxes that became due during the period he or
she had the control, supervision, responsibility, or duty to act for the
corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or
limited liability company described in subdivision (a), plus interest and
penalties on those taxes.
(c) Personal liability may be imposed pursuant to
this section, only if the board can establish that the corporation, partnership,
limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited liability company
had included tax reimbursement in the selling price of, or added tax
reimbursement to the selling price of, tangible
personal property sold in the
conduct of its business, or when it can be established that the corporation,
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited
liability company consumed tangible personal property and failed to pay the tax
to the seller or has included use tax on the billing and collected
the use
tax or has issued a receipt for the use tax and failed to report and pay use
tax.
(d) For purposes of this section "willfully fails to pay or to cause to
be paid" means that the failure was the result of an intentional, conscious, and
voluntary course of action.
(e) Except as provided in subdivision (f), the
sum due for the liability under this section may be collected by determination
and collection in the manner provided in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section
6451) and Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 6701).
(f) A notice of
deficiency determination under this section shall be mailed within three years
after the last day of the calendar month following the quarterly period in which
the board obtains actual knowledge, through its audit or compliance activities,
or by written communication by the business or its representative, of the
termination, dissolution, or abandonment of the business of the corporation,
partnership, limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited
liability company, or, within eight years after the last day of the calendar
month following the quarterly period in which the corporation, partnership,
limited partnership, limited liability partnership, or limited liability company
business was terminated, dissolved, or abandoned, whichever period expires
earlier. If a business or its representative files a notice of termination,
dissolution, or abandonment of its business with a state or local agency other
than the board, this filing shall not constitute actual knowledge by the board
under this section.
Regulation 1702.6. Suspended Corporations.
Reference: Section 6066, Revenue and Taxation Code.
(a) GENERAL. A corporate officer or shareholder with control over operations or management of a closely held corporation during a time in which the corporation's powers, rights, and privileges are suspended or any responsible person who fails to pay or to cause to be paid any taxes due from a closely held corporation during a time in which the corporation's powers, rights, and privileges are suspended shall be personally liable under the circumstances set forth below for any unpaid sales or use tax liability of that suspended corporation incurred during the period of that suspension. The corporate officer, shareholder, or responsible person shall be liable for the unpaid tax, and interest and penalties on those taxes not so paid, regardless of the basis for the suspension of the corporation's powers, rights, and privileges.
Personal liability under this regulation applies only when the Board establishes that, during the period of suspension, the corporation:
(1) Sold tangible personal property in the conduct of its business and collected sales tax reimbursement on the selling price (whether separately itemized or included in the selling price) and failed to remit such tax when due; or
(2) Collected use tax and failed to report and pay the tax; or
(3) Consumed tangible personal property and failed to pay the applicable tax to the seller or the Board.
(b) DEFINITION OF TERMS.
(1) RESPONSIBLE PERSON. For the purposes of this regulation, the term "responsible person" means any officer or shareholder who is charged with the responsibility for the filing of returns or the payment of tax or who has a duty to act for the closely held corporation in complying with any provision of the Sales and Use Tax Law, and who derives a direct financial benefit from the failure to pay the tax liability.
(2) CLOSELY HELD. For the purposes of this regulation, the term "closely held" corporation means one in which ownership is concentrated in one individual, one family, or a small number of individuals and the majority stockholders manage the business.
(3) CONTROL OVER OPERATIONS OR MANAGEMENT. For the purposes of this regulation, the term "control over operations and management" means the power to manage or affect day to day operations of the business. For the purposes of this regulation, it is rebuttably presumed that a corporate officer has control over operations and management of the closely held corporation.
(c) DETERMINATION AND COLLECTION. The Board shall determine and collect the liability established under this regulation in the manner provided in Chapter 5 (commencing with section 6451) and Chapter 6 (commencing with section 6701) of Part 1, Division 2, of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(d) LIABILITY OF THE CORPORATION. A suspended corporation shall remain liable for the unpaid tax, interest, and penalties incurred during the period in which its corporate powers, rights, and privileges were suspended without regard to any personal liability determined under subdivision (a) of this regulation. Payments made pursuant to subdivision (a) shall be applied to the liability of the corporation.
History: Adopted July 26, 2000, effective October 18, 2000.
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Criminal statutes of limitation based
upon my historic materials were:
General Criminal Statute of limitation PC801
= 3 years.
Tolling of the statute while located out of state for PC801 crimes
is limited to 3 added years if PC803 is applicable.
Revenue & Taxation code
19704 relating to state income tax law, statute of limitations = 6 years
General Sales & Use under 7154 statute of limitation = Later of 5 years after
commission of crime or 2 years after discovery.
Motor Vehicle Fuel tax under
8406 statute of limitation = Later of 3 years after commission of crime or 2
years after discovery.
Use Fuel tax under 9355 statute of limitation = Later
of 3 years after commission of crime or 2 years after discovery.
Cigarette &
Tobacco Products Tax Law statute of limitation = 6 years after commission of the
offense.
Alcohol Beverage Tax Law under 32556 = Later of 3 years after
commission of crime or 2 years after discovery
Energy Resources Surcharge Law
under 41143.8 = Later of 3 years after commission of crime or 2 years after
discovery.
Hazardous Substances Tax Law under 43607 = 3 years after
commission of the offense.
Integrated Management Fee Law under 45956 = 3
years after commission of the offense.
Oil Spill Response, Prevention and
Administration Fees Law under 46706 = 3 years after commission of the offense.
Fee Collection Procedures Law under 55365 = 3 years after commission of the
offense.
Diesel Fuel Tax Law under 60708 = Later of 3 years after commission
of crime or 2 years after discovery.
7152. (a) Any person required to make,
render, sign, or verify any report who makes any false or fraudulent return,
with intent to defeat or evade the determination of an amount due required by
law to be made is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as provided in Section
7153.
(b) Any person who
willfully aids or assists in, or procures, counsels, or advises in, the
preparation or presentation, in connection with any matter arising under this part, of
a return, affidavit, claim, or other document that is fraudulent or false as to
any material matter, whether or not the falsity or fraud is with the knowledge
or consent of the person authorized or required to present the return,
affidavit, claim, or document, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as provided
in Section 7153.
7153. Any violation of this
part by any person, except as otherwise provided, is a misdemeanor. Each offense
shall be punished by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and
not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or imprisonment not exceeding one
year in the county jail, or both the fine and imprisonment in the discretion of
the court.
7153.5. Notwithstanding any
other provision of this part, any person who violates this part with intent to
defeat or evade the reporting, assessment, or payment of a tax or an amount due
required by law to be made is guilty of a felony when the amount of unreported
tax liability aggregates twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or more in any
12-consecutive-month period. Each offense shall be punished by a fine of not
less than five thousand dollars ($5,000) and not more than twenty thousand
dollars ($20,000), or imprisonment for 16 months, two years, or three years, or
both the fine and
imprisonment in the discretion of the court.
7154. Any prosecution for
violation of any of the penal provisions of this part shall be instituted within
five years after the commission of the offense, or within two years after the
violation is discovered, whichever is later.
7155. (a) Any person who, for
the purpose of evading the payment of taxes due under this part, knowingly fails
to obtain a valid permit prior to the date on which the first tax return is due
shall be liable for a penalty of 50 percent of any tax determined to be due for
the period during which the person engaged in business in this state as a seller
without a valid permit.
(b) This section shall not apply to any person whose measure of tax liability
over the period during which he or she was engaged in business in this state as
a seller without a valid permit averaged one thousand dollars ($1,000) or less
per month.
(c) This
section shall not apply to the amount of taxes due on the sale or use of a
vehicle, vessel, or aircraft, if the amount is subject to the penalty imposed by
Section 6485.1 or Section 6514.1.
7156. (a) In the case of any
civil proceeding which is--
(1) Brought by or against the State of California in
connection with the determination, collection, or refund of any tax, interest,
or penalty under this part, and
(2) Brought in a court of record of this state, the
prevailing party may be awarded a judgment for reasonable
litigation costs incurred in that proceeding.
(b) (1) A judgment for reasonable litigation costs
shall not be awarded under subdivision (a) unless the court determines that the
prevailing party has exhausted the administrative remedies available to that
party under this part.
(2) An award under subdivision (a) shall be made only for reasonable litigation
costs which are allocable to the State of California and not to any other party
to the action or proceeding.
(3) No award for reasonable litigation costs may be
made under subdivision (a) with respect to any declaratory judgment proceeding.
(4) No award for reasonable litigation costs may be
made under subdivision (a) with respect to any portion of the civil proceeding
during which the prevailing party has unreasonably protracted that proceeding.
(c) For purposes of this section--
(1) The term "reasonable litigation costs" includes
any of the following:
(A) Reasonable court costs.
(B) Based upon prevailing market rates for the kind or
quality of services furnished any of the following:
(i) The reasonable expenses of expert witnesses in
connection with the civil proceeding, except that no expert witness shall be
compensated at a rate in excess of the highest rate of compensation for expert
witnesses paid by the State of California.
(ii) The reasonable cost of any study, analysis,
engineering report, test, or project which is found by the court to be necessary
for the preparation of the party's case.
(iii) Reasonable fees paid or incurred for the
services of attorneys in connection with the civil proceeding, except that those
fees shall not be in excess of seventy-five dollars ($75) per hour unless the
court determines that an increase in the cost of living or a special factor,
such as the limited availability of qualified attorneys for the proceeding,
justifies a higher rate.
(2) (A) The term "prevailing party" means any party to
any proceeding described in subdivision (a) (other than the State of California
or any creditor of the taxpayer involved) which--
(i) Establishes that the position of the State of
California in the civil proceeding was not substantially justified, and
(ii) (I) Has substantially prevailed with respect to
the amount in controversy, or
(II) Has substantially prevailed with respect to the
most significant issue or set of issues presented.
(B) Any determination under subparagraph (A) as to
whether a party is a prevailing party shall be made--
(i) By the court, or
(ii) By agreement of the parties.
(3) The term "civil proceeding" includes a civil
action.
(d) For purposes
of this section, in the case of--
(1) Multiple actions which could have been joined or
consolidated, or
(2) A
case or cases involving a return or returns of the same taxpayer which could
have been joined in a single proceeding in the same court, these actions or
cases shall be treated as one civil proceeding regardless of whether the joinder
or consolidation actually occurs, unless the court in which the action is
brought determines, in its discretion, that it would be inappropriate to treat
these actions or cases as joined or consolidated for purposes of this section.
(e) An order granting or denying an award for
reasonable litigation costs under subdivision (a), in whole or in part, shall be
incorporated as a part of the decision or judgment in the case and shall be
subject to appeal in the same manner as the decision or judgment.
(f) For purposes of this section, "position of the
State of California" includes either of the following:
(1) The position taken by the State of California in
the civil proceeding.
(2) Any administrative action or inaction by the State Board of Equalization
(and all subsequent administrative action or inaction) upon which that
proceeding is based.
7157. (a) (1) Restitution orders or any other amounts
imposed by a court of competent jurisdiction for criminal offenses upon a person
or any other entity that are due and payable to the board may be collected by
the board in any manner provided by law for collection of a delinquent sales and
use tax liability, including, but not limited to, issuance of an order and levy
under Article 4 (commencing with Section 706.070) of Chapter 5 of Division 2 of
Title 9 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure in the manner provided for
earnings withholding orders for taxes.
(2) Amounts imposed by a court of competent
jurisdiction as an order of restitution for criminal offenses shall be treated
as final and due and payable to the State of California on the date that amount
is established on the records of the board.
(b) Part 1 (commencing with Section 6001), Part 1.5
(commencing with Section 7200), Part 1.6 (commencing with Section 7251), and
Part 1.7 (commencing with Section 7285) shall apply to amounts collected under
this section in the same manner and with the same force and effect and to the
full extent as if the language of those laws had
been incorporated in full into this section, except to
the extent that any provision is either inconsistent with this section or is not
relevant to this section.
(c) Notwithstanding Chapter 7 (commencing with Section
6901), a refund or credit shall not be allowed for any amounts paid or payments
applied under this section.
(d) Amounts authorized to be collected pursuant to
this section may accrue interest at the greater of the rate applicable to the
amounts being collected or the rate provided under Section 6591.5 from and after
the date the amounts are established on the records of the board.
(e) Amounts authorized to be collected pursuant to
this section shall not be subject to any statute of limitations set forth in
Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 6701).
(f) Notwithstanding Section 6738 or Chapter 14
(commencing with Section 7150) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code,
any portion of the amounts authorized to be collected under this section that
remain unsatisfied may be collected by the recording of a notice of state tax
lien. The board may record or extend a recorded notice of state tax lien at any
time until the amount due, including any accrued interest, is paid in full.
(g) This section shall apply on and after
January 1, 2012, to amounts authorized to be collected pursuant to this section
that are due and payable to the board before, on, or after January 1, 2012.
Revenue & Tax Code Sections:
19701. Any person who does any of the following is liable for a penalty of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000): (a) With or without intent to evade any requirement of Part 10 commencing with Section 17001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), or this part or any lawful requirement of the Franchise Tax Board, repeatedly over a period of two years or more, fails to file any return or to supply any information required, or who, with or without that intent, makes, renders, signs, or verifies any false or fraudulent return or statement, or supplies any false or fraudulent information, resulting in an estimated delinquent tax liability of at least fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000). (b) Aids, abets, advises, encourages, or counsels any person to evade the tax imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) by not filing any return or supplying any information required under Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), or this part, or, by making, rendering, signing, or verifying any false or fraudulent return or statement, or by supplying false or fraudulent information. (c) Under this part, is required to pay any estimated tax or tax, who willfully fails to pay that estimated tax or tax, at the time or times required by law or regulations. The penalty shall be recovered in the name of the people in any court of competent jurisdiction. Counsel for the Franchise Tax Board may, upon request of the district attorney or other prosecuting attorney, assist the prosecuting attorney in presenting the law or facts to recover the penalty at the trial of a criminal proceeding for violation of this section. That person is also guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction be fined not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) or be imprisoned not to exceed one year, or both, at the discretion of the court, together with costs of investigation and prosecution. The preceding sentence shall not apply to any person who is mentally incompetent, or suffers from dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or similar condition. (d) For purposes of subdivision (a), the president of a corporation, or the chief operating officer, is the person presumed to be responsible for filing any return or supplying information required from that corporation. 19701.5. (a) Any person who signs his or her spouse's name on any income tax return, or any schedules or attachments thereto, or who files electronically pursuant to Section 18621.5, without the consent of the spouse as provided in subdivision (b), is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall upon conviction be fined an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) or be imprisoned for a term not to exceed one year, or both, at the discretion of the court, together with costs of investigation and prosecution. (b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), any person who signs his or her spouse's name shall not be guilty of a misdemeanor when one spouse is physically unable by reason of disease or injury to sign a joint return, and the other spouse, with the oral consent of the one who is incapacitated, signs the incapacitated spouse's name in the proper place on the return followed by the words "By ____, Husband (or Wife)," and by the signature of the signing spouse in his or her own right, provided that a dated statement signed by the spouse who is signing the return is attached to and made a part of the return stating each of the following: (1) The name of the return being filed. (2) The taxable year. (3) The reason for the inability of the spouse who is incapacitated to sign the return. (4) That the spouse who is incapacitated consented to the signing of the return and that the taxpayer and his or her agent, if any, are responsible for the return as made and incur liability for the penalties provided for erroneous, false, or fraudulent returns. (c) The penalties provided by this section are cumulative and shall not be construed as restricting any other penalty provided by law based upon the same facts, including any penalty under Section 470 of the Penal Code. However, an act or omission which is made punishable in different ways by this section and different provisions of the Penal Code shall not be punished under more than one provision. 19702. The prosecutor may, with the consent of the Franchise Tax Board, compromise any penalty for which he or she may bring action under this chapter. The penalties provided by this chapter are additional to all other penalties provided in Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), or this part. 19703. The certificate of the Franchise Tax Board to the effect that a return has not been filed or that information has not been supplied as required by this part is prima facie evidence that the return has not been filed or that the information has not been supplied. 19704. Any action or prosecution under this chapter shall be instituted within six years after commission of the offense. 19705. (a) Any person who does any of the following shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or imprisoned pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, or both, together with the costs of investigation and prosecution: (1) Willfully makes and subscribes any return, statement, or other document, that contains or is verified by a written declaration that it is made under penalty of perjury, and he or she does not believe to be true and correct as to every material matter. (2) Willfully aids or assists in, or procures, counsels, or advises the preparation or presentation under, or in connection with any matter arising under, the Personal Income Tax Law or the Corporation Tax Law, of a return, affidavit, claim, or other document, that is fraudulent or is false as to any material matter, whether or not that falsity or fraud is with the knowledge or consent of the person authorized or required to present that return, affidavit, claim, or document. (3) Simulates or falsely or fraudulently executes or signs any bond, permit, entry, or other document required by the provisions of the Personal Income Tax Law or the Corporation Tax Law, or by any regulation pursuant to that law, or procures the same to be falsely or fraudulently executed or advises, aids in, or connives at thatexecution. (4) Removes, deposits, or conceals, or is concerned in removing, depositing, or concealing, any goods or commodities for or in respect whereof any tax is or shall be imposed, or any property upon which levy is authorized by Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 19201); or Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 688.010) of Division 1 of, and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 706.010) of Division 2 of, Title 9 of the Code of Civil Procedure, with intent to evade or defeat the assessment or collection of any tax, additions to tax, penalty, or interest imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), or this part. (5) In connection with any settlement under Section 19442, or offer of that settlement, or in connection with any closing agreement under Section 19441 or offer to enter into that agreement, or compromise under Section 19443, or offer of that compromise, willfully does any of the following: (A) Conceals from any officer or employee of this state any property belonging to the estate of a taxpayer or other person liable in respect of the tax. (B) Receives, withholds, destroys, mutilates, or falsifies any book, document, or record, or makes any false statement, relating to the estate or financial condition of the taxpayer or other person liable in respect of the tax. (b) In the case of a corporation, the fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) limitation specified in subdivision (a) shall be increased to two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000). (c) The fact that an individual's name is signed to a return, statement, or other document filed, including a return, statement, or other document filed using electronic technology pursuant to Section 18621.5, shall be prima facie evidence for all purposes that the return, statement, or other document was actually signed by him or her. (d) For purposes of this section, "person" means the taxpayer, any member of the taxpayer's family, any corporation, agent, fiduciary, or representative of, or any other individual or entity acting on behalf of, the taxpayer, or any other corporation or entity owned or controlled by the taxpayer, directly or indirectly, or which owns or controls the taxpayer, directly or indirectly. (e) The changes made to this section by the act adding this subdivision apply to offers made on or after January 1, 1999. 19706. Any person or any officer or employee of any corporation who, within the time required by or under the provisions of this part, willfully fails to file any return or to supply any information with intent to evade any tax imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001), or who, willfully and with like intent, makes, renders, signs, or verifies any false or fraudulent return or statement or supplies any false or fraudulent information, is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed one year, or in the state prison, or by fine of not more than twenty thousand dollars ($20,000), or by both the fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court, together with the costs of investigation and prosecution. 19707. The place of trial for the offenses enumerated in this chapter shall be in the county of residence or principal place of business of the defendant or defendants at the time of commission of the offense. However, if the defendant or defendants had no residence or principal place of business in this state at the time of commission of the offense, the trial shall be held in the County of Sacramento. In a criminal case charging a defendant or defendants with committing an offense enumerated in this chapter, the place of trial may be as set forth in this section, or as provided for in Section 1462.2 or Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 777) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code. 19708. Any person required under this part to collect, account for, and pay over any tax or amount required to be withheld who willfully fails to collect or truthfully account for and pay over the tax or amount shall, in addition to other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a felony, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) or imprisoned pursuant to subdivision (h) of Section 1170 of the Penal Code, or both. 19709. Any person who, with or without intent to evade, fails to withhold, pursuant to Section 18662 or 18666, or pay over any tax withheld, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction be fined an amount not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both, at the discretion of the court. 19710. If a taxpayer fails to file a return within 60 days after the Franchise Tax Board issues a notice and demand for the return, the Franchise Tax Board may petition the court for a writ of mandate to require the taxpayer to file a return. The judgment shall include costs in favor of the prevailing party. 19711. Any individual required to supply information to his or her employer under Section 13040, 13041, or 13042 of the Unemployment Insurance Code, who willfully supplies false or fraudulent information, or who willfully fails to supply information thereunder which would require an increase in the tax to be withheld under Section 13020 of the Unemployment Insurance Code, shall, in addition to any other penalty otherwise provided by law, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or imprisoned not more than one year, or both. 19712. Any tax preparer, as defined in subdivision (b) of Section 19169, who endorses or otherwise negotiates (directly or through an agent) any warrant made in respect of the taxes imposed by Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001) or Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) which is issued to a taxpayer (other than the tax preparer) shall, in addition to other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, together with the costs of prosecution. This section shall not apply where the tax preparer has advanced the taxpayer an amount of money equal to or greater than the amount of the taxpayer's tax refund. 19713. (a) Any person or employer who fails to comply with subdivision (b) of Section 19009 shall, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined no more than five thousand dollars ($5,000), or imprisoned not more than one year, or both, together with the costs of prosecution. (b) This section shall not apply: (1) To any person or employer, if that person or employer shows that there was reasonable doubt as to (A) whether the law required collection of the tax, or (B) who was required by law to collect the tax. (2) To any person or employer, if that person or employer shows that the failure to comply with the provisions of subdivision (b) of Section 19009 was due to circumstances beyond his or her control. (c) For purposes of paragraph (2), a lack of funds existing immediately after the payment of wages (whether or not created by the payment of the wages) shall not be considered to be circumstances beyond the control of a person or employer. 19714. Whenever it appears to the State Board of Equalization or any court of record of this state that proceedings before it under this part have been instituted or maintained by the taxpayer primarily for delay or that the taxpayer's position in the proceedings is frivolous or groundless, or that the taxpayer unreasonably failed to pursue available administrative remedies, a penalty in an amount not in excess of five thousand dollars ($5,000) shall be imposed. Any penalty so imposed shall be paid upon notice and demand from the Franchise Tax Board and shall be collected as a tax. 19715. (a) A civil action in the name of the State of California to enjoin any person from further engaging in specified conduct may be commenced at the request of the Franchise Tax Board. Any action under this section shall be brought in accordance with Section 19707. The court may exercise its jurisdiction over that action separate and apart from any other action brought by the State of California against that person. (b) In any action under subdivision (a), the court may enjoin the person from engaging in the specified conduct or in any other activity subject to penalty under this part, if the court finds both of the following: (1) That the person has engaged in any specified conduct. (2) That injunctive relief is appropriate to prevent recurrence of that specified conduct. (c) For purposes of this section, the term "specified conduct" means any action, or failure to take action, subject to penalty under Section 19173, 19174, 19177, or 19178. 19717. (a) The prevailing party may be awarded a judgment for reasonable litigation costs incurred, in the case of any civil proceeding brought by or against the State of California in a court of record of this state in connection with the determination, collection, or refund of any tax, interest, or penalty under this part. (b) (1) A judgment for reasonable litigation costs shall not be awarded under subdivision (a) unless the court determines that the prevailing party has exhausted all administrative remedies available to that party under this part, including the filing of an appeal as provided in Section 19324. Any failure to agree to an extension of the time for the assessment of any tax shall not be taken into account for purposes of determining whether the prevailing party meets the requirements of the preceding sentence. (2) An award under subdivision (a) shall be made only for reasonable litigation costs which are allocable to the State of California and not to any other party to the action or proceeding. (3) No award for reasonable litigation costs may be made under subdivision (a) with respect to any portion of the civil proceeding during which the prevailing party has unreasonably protracted that proceeding. (c) For purposes of this section: (1) "Reasonable litigation costs" includes any of the following: (A) Reasonable court costs. (B) Based upon prevailing market rates for the kind or quality of services furnished, any of the following: (i) The reasonable expenses of expert witnesses in connection with the civil proceeding, except that no expert witness shall be compensated at a rate in excess of the highest rate of compensation for expert witnesses paid by the State of California. (ii) The reasonable cost of any study, analysis, engineering report, test, or project which is found by the court to be necessary for the preparation of the party's case. (iii) Reasonable fees paid or incurred for the services of attorneys in connection with the civil proceeding, except that those fees shall not be in excess of one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) per hour unless the court determines that a special factor, such as the limited availability of qualified attorneys for the proceeding, the difficulty of the issues presented in the case, or the local availability of tax expertise justifies a higher rate. In the case of each calendar year beginning with calendar year 2001, the Franchise Tax Board shall recompute the dollar amount referred to in the preceding sentence. That computation shall be made by increasing the amount in this clause by an amount equal to the cost-of-living adjustment determined under subdivision (h) of Section 17041. If any resulting dollar amount is not a multiple of ten dollars ($10), that dollar amount shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of ten dollars ($10). (iv) The court may award reasonable attorney fees under subdivision (a) in excess of the attorney fees paid or incurred if the fees are less than the reasonable attorneys' fees because the attorney is representing the prevailing party for no fee or for a fee which (taking into account all the facts and circumstances) is no more than a nominal fee. This clause shall apply only if the award is paid to the attorney or the attorney's employer. (2) (A) "Prevailing party" means any party to any proceeding described in subdivision (a) (other than the State of California orany creditor of the taxpayer involved) that meets either of the following criteria: (i) Has substantially prevailed with respect to the amount in controversy. (ii) Has substantially prevailed with respect to the most significant issue or set of issues presented. (B) (i) A party shall not be treated as the prevailing party in a proceeding to which subdivision (a) applies if the State of California establishes that its position in the proceeding was substantially justified. (ii) For purposes of clause (i), the position of the State of California shall be presumed not to be substantially justified if the Franchise Tax Board did not follow its applicable published guidance in the administrative proceeding. This presumption may be rebutted. (iii) For purposes of clause (ii), the term "applicable published guidance" means either of the following: (I) A regulation, legal ruling, notice, information release, or announcement. (II) Any chief counsel ruling or determination letter issued to the taxpayer. (iv) For purposes of clause (i), in determining whether the position of the Franchise Tax Board was substantially justified, the court shall take into account whether the Franchise Tax Board has lost in any California Court of Appeal in another district on substantially similar issues, as reflected in a decision certified for publication. (C) Any determination under this paragraph as to whether a party is a prevailing party shall be made by either of the following: (i) The court. (ii) An agreement of the parties. (3) The term "civil proceeding" includes a civil action. (d) For purposes of this section, in the case of multiple actions which could have been joined or consolidated, or a case or cases involving a return or returns of the same taxpayer (including joint returns of married individuals) which could have been joined in a single proceeding in the same court, the actions or cases shall be treated as one civil proceeding regardless of whether the joinder or consolidation actually occurs, unless the court in which the action is brought determines, in its discretion, that it would be inappropriate to treat the actions or cases as joined or consolidated for purposes of this section. (e) An order granting or denying an award for reasonable litigation costs under subdivision (a), in whole or in part, shall be incorporated as a part of the decision or judgment in the case and shall be subject to appeal in the same manner as the decision or judgment. (f) For purposes of this section, "position of the State of California" includes either of the following: (1) The position taken by the State of California in the civil proceeding. (2) Any administrative action or inaction by the Franchise Tax Board (and all subsequent administrative action or inaction) upon which that proceeding is based. (g) The amendments made by the act amending this subdivision are effective for costs incurred and services performed more than 180 days after the effective date of the act amending this subdivision. 19718. Any employer or agent of an employer who provides a wage statement or similar document to any undocumented worker or former undocumented worker at that person's request for the purpose of documenting that person's eligibility for legalization pursuant to the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act (Public Law 99-603), shall not be liable for any penalty or criminal or civil violation under this part relative to the undocumented worker or former undocumented worker based on any facts disclosed in the wage statement or similar document so provided. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the liability under any provision of law of any person who engages in the procurement or production of false or fraudulent wage statements or similar documents to any person for purposes of legalization under the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act. This section does not apply to penalties assessed or criminal actions filed prior to May 1, 1987. This section does not apply where the Employment Development Department, through independent means, discovers that an employer has withheld personal income tax and disability insurance contributions from workers' paychecks and has not remitted those moneys to the department. The immunity from liability pursuant to this section shall apply only to facts disclosed in the wage statement or similar document provided on or after the effective date of this section and only until the date of the termination of the egalization provisions for agricultural and nonagricultural workers of the federal Immigration Reform and Control Act. However, the immunity from liability pursuant to this section shall continue until the cause of action is tolled by the applicable statute of limitations. 19719. (a) Any person who attempts or purports to exercise the powers, rights, and privileges of a corporation that has been suspended pursuant to Section 23301 or who transacts or attempts to transact intrastate business in this state on behalf of a foreign corporation, the rights and privileges of which have been forfeited pursuant to the section, is punishable by a fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) and not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both fine and imprisonment. (b) This section shall not apply to any insurer, or to counsel retained by an insurer on behalf of the suspended corporation, who provides a defense for a suspended corporation in a civil action based upon a claim for personal injury, property damage, or economic losses against the suspended corporation, and, in conjunction with this defense, prosecutes subrogation, contribution, or indemnity rights against persons or entities in the name of the suspended corporation. (c) Nothing in this section shall create or limit any obligation upon an insurer to defend a suspended corporation. 19720. (a) Any person who does any of the following is liable for a penalty of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000): (1) Utters, passes, or negotiates a state-issued income tax refund warrant generated as a result of the filing of a return knowing that the recipient is not entitled to the refund. (2) Procures a state-issued income tax refund, in any form, generated as a result of the filing of a return knowing that the recipient is not entitled to the refund. (3) Aids, abets, advises, encourages, or counsels any individual to utter, pass, or negotiate a state-issued income tax refund warrant, or to procure a state-issued income tax refund, in any form, generated as a result of the filing of a return, knowing that the recipient is not entitled to a refund. (b) The fact that an individual's name is endorsed to a state-issued refund warrant shall be prima facie evidence for all purposes that the refund warrant was actually signed by him or her. (c) The penalty shall be recovered in the name of the people in any court of competent jurisdiction. Counsel for the Franchise Tax Board may, upon request of the district attorney or other prosecuting attorney, assist the prosecuting attorney in presenting the law or facts to recover the penalty at the trial of a criminal proceeding for violation of this section. (d) The person is also guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or by imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both, at the discretion of the court, together with costs of investigation and prosecution. (e) Any individual guilty under this part shall be subject to Section 502.01 of the Penal Code. 19721. (a) Any person who, with intent to defraud, does any of the following is liable for a penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000): (1) Willfully utters, passes, or negotiates a state-issued income tax refund warrant generated as a result of the filing of a return knowing that the recipient is not entitled to the refund. (2) Willfully procures a state-issued income tax refund, in any form, generated as a result of the filing of a return knowing that the recipient is not entitled to the refund. (3) Willfully aids, abets, advises, encourages, or counsels any individual to utter, pass, or negotiate a state-issued income tax refund warrant, or to procure a state-issued income tax refund, in any form, generated as a result of the filing of a return, knowing the recipient is not entitled to the refund. (b) The person is also punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not to exceed one year, or in the state prison, or by a fine not to exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court, together with the costs of investigation and prosecution. (c) The fact that an individual's name is endorsed to a state-issued refund warrant shall be prima facie evidence for all purposes that the refund warrant was actually signed by him or her. (d) The penalty shall be recovered in the name of the people in any court of competent jurisdiction. Counsel for the Franchise Tax Board may, upon request of the district attorney or other prosecuting attorney, assist the prosecuting attorney in presenting the law or facts to recover the penalty at the trial or a criminal proceeding for violation of this section. (e) Any individual guilty under this part shall be subject to Section 502.01 of the Penal Code. 19722. (a) (1) Restitution orders or any other amounts imposed by a court of competent jurisdiction for criminal offenses upon a person or any other entity that are due and payable to the Franchise Tax Board may be collected by the Franchise Tax Board in any manner provided by law for collection of a delinquent income tax liability, including, but not limited to, issuance of an order and levy under Article 4 (commencing with Section 706.070) of Chapter 5 of Division 2 of Title 9 of Part 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure in the manner provided for earnings withholding orders for taxes. (2) Amounts imposed by a court of competent jurisdiction as an order of restitution for criminal offenses shall be treated as final and due and payable to the State of California on the date that amount is established on the records of the Franchise Tax Board. (b) Part 10 (commencing with Section 17001), this part, Part 10.7 (commencing with Section 21001), and Part 11 (commencing with Section 23001) shall apply to amounts collected under this section in the same manner and with the same force and effect and to the full extent as if the language of those laws had been incorporated in full into this section, except to the extent that any provision is either inconsistent with this section or is not relevant to this section. (c) Notwithstanding Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 19301), no refund or credit may be allowed for any amounts paid or payments applied under this section. (d) Amounts authorized to be collected pursuant to this section shall accrue interest at the greater of the rate applicable to the amounts being collected or the rate provided under Section 19521 from and after the date the amounts are established on the records of the Franchise Tax Board. (e) Amounts authorized to be collected pursuant to this section are not subject to Section 19255. (f) Notwithstanding Section 19204 or Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 7150) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code, any portion of the amounts authorized to be collected under this section that remain unsatisfied may be collected by the recording of a Notice of State Tax Lien. The Franchise Tax Board may record or extend a recorded Notice of State Tax Lien at any time until the amount due, including any accrued interest, is paid in full. (g) The Franchise Tax Board may retain those amounts ordered to be paid by a court of competent jurisdiction by a person or any other entity for the costs of investigation incurred by the Franchise Tax Board. (h) This section shall apply on and after January 1, 2011, to amounts authorized to be collected pursuant to this section that are due and payable to the Franchise Tax Board before, on, or after January 1, 2011.
(a) A person willfully violating this subchapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this subchapter (except section 5315 or 5324 of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5315 or 5324), or willfully violating a regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91-508, shall be fined not more than $250,000, or imprisoned for not more than five years, or both.
(b) A person willfully violating this subchapter or a regulation prescribed or order issued under this subchapter (except section 5315 or 5324 of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5315 or 5324), or willfully violating a regulation prescribed under section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act or section 123 of Public Law 91-508, while violating another law of the United States or as part of a pattern of any illegal activity involving more than $100,000 in a 12-month period, shall be fined not more than $500,000, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both.
(c) For a violation of section 5318(a)(2) of this title or a regulation prescribed under section 5318(a)(2), a separate violation occurs for each day the violation continues and at each office, branch, or place of business at which a violation occurs or continues.
(d) A financial institution or agency that violates any provision of subsection (i) or (j) of section 5318, or any special measures imposed under section 5318A, or any regulation prescribed under subsection (i) or (j) of section 5318 or section 5318A, shall be fined in an amount equal to not less than 2 times the amount of the transaction, but not more than $1,000,000.
(b) Any person who willfully violates any provision of Title II of Pub. L. 91508, or of this part authorized thereby, may, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $250,000 or be imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
(c) Any person who willfully violates any provision of Title II of Pub. L. 91508, or of this part authorized thereby, where the violation is either
(1) Committed while violating another law of the United States, or
(2) Committed as part of a pattern of any illegal activity involving more than $100,000 in any 12-month period, may, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $500,000 or be imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
(d) Any person who knowingly makes any false, fictitious or fraudulent statement or representation in any report required by this part may, upon conviction thereof, be fined not more than $10,000 or be imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
507. Priorities
(a) The following expenses and claims have priority in the following order:
(1) First:
(A) Allowed unsecured claims for domestic support obligations that, as of
the date of the filing of the petition in a case under this title, are owed to or
recoverable by a spouse, former spouse, or child of the debtor, or such childs
parent, legal guardian, or responsible relative, without regard to whether the claim is
filed by such person or is filed by a governmental unit on behalf of such person, on the
condition that funds received under this paragraph by a governmental unit under this title
after the date of the filing of the petition shall be applied and distributed in
accordance with applicable nonbankruptcy law.
(B) Subject to claims under subparagraph (A), allowed unsecured claims for domestic
support obligations that, as of the date of the filing of the petition, are assigned by a
spouse, former spouse, child of the debtor, or such childs parent, legal guardian,
or responsible relative to a governmental unit (unless such obligation is assigned
voluntarily by the spouse, former spouse, child, parent, legal guardian, or responsible
relative of the child for the purpose of collecting the debt) or are owed directly
to or recoverable by a governmental unit under applicable nonbankruptcy law, on the
condition that funds received under this paragraph by a governmental unit under this title
after the date of the filing of the petition be applied and distributed in accordance with
applicable nonbankruptcy law.
(C) If a trustee is appointed or elected under section 701, 702, 703, 1104, 1202, or 1302, the administrative expenses of the trustee allowed under paragraphs (1)(A), (2), and (6) of section 503 (b) shall be paid before payment of claims under subparagraphs (A) and (B), to the extent that the trustee administers assets that are otherwise available for the payment of such claims.
(2) Second, administrative expenses allowed under section 503 (b) of this title, unsecured claims of any Federal reserve bank related to loans made through programs or facilities authorized under section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 343),[1] and any fees and charges assessed against the estate under chapter 123 of title 28
(3) Third, unsecured claims allowed under section 502 (f) of this title.
(4) Fourth, allowed unsecured claims, but only to the extent of $10,000 for each individual or corporation, as the case may be, earned within 180 days before the date of the filing of the petition or the date of the cessation of the debtors business, whichever occurs first, for
(A) wages, salaries, or commissions, including vacation, severance, and sick leave pay earned by an individual; or
(B) sales commissions earned by an individual or by a corporation with only 1 employee, acting as an independent contractor in the sale of goods or services for the debtor in the ordinary course of the debtors business if, and only if, during the 12 months preceding that date, at least 75 percent of the amount that the individual or corporation earned by acting as an independent contractor in the sale of goods or services was earned from the debtor
(5) Fifth, allowed unsecured claims for contributions to an employee benefit plan
(A) arising from services rendered within 180 days before the date of the filing of the petition or the date of the cessation of the debtors business, whichever occurs first; but only
(B) for each such plan, to the extent of
(i) the number of employees covered by each such plan multiplied by $10,000; less
(ii) the aggregate
amount paid to such employees under paragraph (4) of this subsection, plus the aggregate
amount paid by the estate on behalf of such employees to any other employee benefit plan.
(6) Sixth, allowed unsecured claims of persons
(A) engaged in the production or raising of
grain, as defined in section 557 (b) of this title, against a debtor who owns or operates
a grain storage facility, as defined in section 557 (b) of this title, for grain or the
proceeds of grain,
or
(B) engaged as a United States fisherman
against a debtor who has acquired fish or fish produce from a fisherman through a sale or
conversion, and who is engaged in operating a fish produce storage or processing
facility
but only to the extent
of $4,000 for each such individual.
(7) Seventh, allowed unsecured claims of individuals, to the extent of $1,800 for each such individual, arising from the deposit, before the commencement of the case, of money in connection with the purchase, lease, or rental of property, or the purchase of services, for the personal, family, or household use of such individuals, that were not delivered or provided.
(8) Eighth, allowed unsecured claims of governmental units, only to the extent that such claims are for
(A) a tax on or measured by income or gross receipts for a taxable year ending on or before the date of the filing of the petition
(i) for which a return, if required, is last due, including extensions, after three years before the date of the filing of the petition;
(ii) assessed within 240 days before the date of the filing of the petition, exclusive of
(I) any time during which an offer in compromise with respect to that tax was pending or in effect during that 240-day period, plus 30 days; and
(II) any time during which a stay of proceedings against collections was in effect in a prior case under this title during that 240-day period, plus 90 days; or
(iii) other than a tax of a kind specified in
section 523 (a)(1)(B) or 523 (a)(1)(C) of this title, not assessed before, but assessable,
under applicable law or by agreement, after, the commencement of the case;
(B) a property tax incurred before the commencement of the case and
last payable without penalty after one year before the date of the filing of the petition;
(C) a tax required to be collected or withheld and for which the debtor
is liable in whatever capacity;
(D) an employment tax on a wage, salary, or commission of a kind specified in paragraph (4) of this subsection earned from the debtor before the date of the filing of the petition, whether or not actually paid before such date, for which a return is last due, under applicable law or under any extension, after three years before the date of the filing of the petition;
(E) an excise tax on
(i) a transaction occurring before the date of the filing of the petition for which a return, if required, is last due, under applicable law or under any extension, after three years before the date of the filing of the petition; or
(ii) if a return is not required, a transaction
occurring during the three years immediately preceding the date of the filing of the
petition;
(F) a customs duty arising out of the importation of merchandise
(i) entered for consumption within one year before the date of the filing of the petition;
(ii) covered by an entry liquidated or reliquidated within one year before the date of the filing of the petition; or
(iii) entered for consumption within four years before the date of the filing of the petition but unliquidated on such date, if the Secretary of the Treasury certifies that failure to liquidate such entry was due to an investigation pending on such date into assessment of antidumping or countervailing duties or fraud, or if information needed for the proper appraisement or classification of such merchandise was not available to the appropriate customs officer before such date; or
(G) a penalty related to a claim of a kind specified in this paragraph and in compensation for actual pecuniary loss. An otherwise applicable time period specified in this paragraph shall be suspended for any period during which a governmental unit is prohibited under applicable nonbankruptcy law from collecting a tax as a result of a request by the debtor for a hearing and an appeal of any collection action taken or proposed against the debtor, plus 90 days; plus any time during which the stay of proceedings was in effect in a prior case under this title or during which collection was precluded by the existence of 1 or more confirmed plans under this title, plus 90 days.
(9) Ninth, allowed unsecured claims based upon any commitment by the debtor to a Federal depository institutions regulatory agency (or predecessor to such agency) to maintain the capital of an insured depository institution.
(10) Tenth, allowed claims for death or personal injury resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle or vessel if such operation was unlawful because the debtor was intoxicated from using alcohol, a drug, or another substance.
(b) If the trustee, under section 362, 363, or
364 of this title, provides adequate protection of the interest of a holder of a claim
secured by a lien on property of the debtor and if, notwithstanding such protection, such
creditor has a
claim allowable under subsection (a)(2) of this section arising from the stay of action
against such property under section 362 of this title, from the use, sale, or lease of
such property under section 363 of this title, or from the granting of a
lien under section 364 (d) of this title, then such creditors claim under such
subsection shall have priority over every other claim allowable under such subsection.
(c) For the purpose of subsection (a) of this
section, a claim of a governmental unit arising from an erroneous refund or credit of a
tax has the same priority as a claim for the tax to which such refund or credit relates.
(d) An entity that is subrogated to the rights
of a holder of a claim of a kind specified in subsection (a)(1), (a)(4), (a)(5), (a)(6),
(a)(7), (a)(8), or (a)(9) of this section is not subrogated to the right of the holder of
such claim to
priority under such subsection.
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523. Exceptions to discharge
(a) A discharge under section 727, 1141, 1228 (a), 1228 (b), or 1328 (b) of this title does not discharge an individual debtor from any debt
(1) for a tax or a customs duty
(A) of the kind and for the periods specified
in section 507 (a)(3) or 507 (a)(8) of this title, whether or not a claim for such tax was
filed or allowed;
(B) with respect to which a return, or
equivalent report or notice, if required
(i) was not filed or
given; or
(ii) was filed or given
after the date on which such return, report, or notice was last due, under applicable law
or under any extension, and after two years before the date of the filing of the petition;
or
(C) with respect to which the debtor made a
fraudulent return or willfully attempted in any manner to evade or defeat such tax;
(2) for money, property, services, or an extension, renewal, or
refinancing of credit, to the extent obtained by
(A) false pretenses, a false representation, or
actual fraud, other than a statement respecting the debtors or an insiders
financial condition;
(B) use of a statement in writing
(i) that is materially false;
(ii) respecting the debtors or an insiders financial condition;
(iii) on which the creditor to whom the debtor is liable for such money, property, services, or credit reasonably relied; and
(iv) that the debtor
caused to be made or published with intent to deceive; or
(C)
(i) for purposes of subparagraph (A)
(I) consumer debts owed to a single creditor and aggregating more than $500 for luxury
goods or services incurred by an individual debtor on or within 90 days before the order
for relief under this title are presumed to be
nondischargeable; and
(II) cash advances aggregating more
than $750 that are extensions of consumer credit under an open end credit plan
obtained by an individual debtor on or within 70 days before the order for
relief under this title, are
presumed to be nondischargeable; and
(ii) for purposes of
this subparagraph
(I) the terms consumer, credit, and open end credit
plan have the same meanings as in section 103 of the Truth in Lending Act; and
(II) the term luxury goods or services does not include goods or services
reasonably necessary for the support or maintenance of the debtor or a dependent of the
debtor;
(3) neither listed nor scheduled under section 521 (a)(1) of this title, with the name, if
known to the debtor, of the creditor to whom such debt is owed, in time to permit
(A) if such debt is not of a kind specified in paragraph (2), (4), or (6) of this
subsection, timely filing of a proof of claim, unless such creditor had notice or actual
knowledge of the case in time for such timely filing; or
(B) if such debt is of a kind specified in paragraph (2), (4), or (6) of this subsection,
timely filing of a proof of claim and timely request for a determination of
dischargeability of such debt under one of such paragraphs, unless such creditor had
notice or actual knowledge of the case in time for such timely filing and request;
(4) for fraud or defalcation while acting in a fiduciary capacity, embezzlement, or
larceny;
(5) for a domestic support obligation;
(6) for willful and malicious injury by the debtor to another entity or to the property of
another entity;
(7) to the extent such debt is for a fine, penalty, or forfeiture payable to and for the
benefit of a governmental unit, and is not compensation for actual pecuniary loss, other
than a tax penalty
(A) relating to a tax of a kind not specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection; or
(B) imposed with respect to a transaction or event that occurred before three years before
the date of the filing of the petition;
(8) unless excepting such debt from discharge under this paragraph would impose an undue
hardship on the debtor and the debtors dependents, for
(A)
(i) an educational benefit overpayment or loan made, insured, or guaranteed by a governmental unit, or made under any program funded in whole or in part by a governmental unit or nonprofit institution; or
(ii) an obligation to repay funds received as an educational benefit, scholarship, or
stipend; or
(B) any other educational loan that is a qualified education loan, as defined in section
221(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, incurred by a debtor who is an individual;
(9) for death or personal injury caused by the debtors operation of a motor vehicle,
vessel, or aircraft if such operation was unlawful because the debtor was intoxicated from
using alcohol, a drug, or another substance;
(10) that was or could have been listed or scheduled by the debtor in a prior case
concerning the debtor under this title or under the Bankruptcy Act in which the debtor
waived discharge, or was denied a discharge under section 727 (a)(2), (3), (4), (5), (6),
or (7) of this title, or under section 14c(1), (2), (3), (4), (6), or (7) of such Act;
(11) provided in any final judgment, unreviewable order, or consent order or decree
entered in any court of the United States or of any State, issued by a Federal depository
institutions regulatory agency, or contained in any settlement agreement entered into by
the debtor, arising from any act of fraud or defalcation while acting in a fiduciary
capacity committed with respect to any depository institution or insured credit union;
(12) for malicious or reckless failure to fulfill any commitment by the debtor to a
Federal depository institutions regulatory agency to maintain the capital of an insured
depository institution, except that this paragraph shall not extend any such commitment
which would otherwise be terminated due to any act of such agency;
(13) for any payment of an order of restitution issued under title 18, United States Code;
(14) incurred to pay a tax to the United States that would be nondischargeable pursuant to
paragraph (1);
(14A) incurred to pay a tax to a governmental unit, other than the United States, that
would be nondischargeable under paragraph (1);
(14B) incurred to pay fines or penalties imposed under Federal election law;
(15) to a spouse, former spouse, or child of the debtor and not of the kind described in
paragraph (5) that is incurred by the debtor in the course of a divorce or separation or
in connection with a separation agreement, divorce decree or other order of a court of
record, or a determination made in accordance with State or territorial law by a
governmental unit;
(16) for a fee or assessment that becomes due and payable after the order for relief to a
membership association with respect to the debtors interest in a unit that has
condominium ownership, in a share of a cooperative corporation, or a lot in a homeowners
association, for as long as the debtor or the trustee has a legal, equitable, or
possessory ownership interest in such unit, such corporation, or such lot, but nothing in
this paragraph shall except from discharge the debt of a debtor for a membership
association fee or assessment for a period arising before entry of the order for relief in
a pending or subsequent bankruptcy case;
(17) for a fee imposed on a prisoner by any court for the filing of a case, motion,
complaint, or appeal, or for other costs and expenses assessed with respect to such
filing, regardless of an assertion of poverty by the debtor under subsection (b) or (f)(2)
of section 1915 of title 28 (or a similar non-Federal law), or the debtors status as
a prisoner, as defined in section 1915 (h) of title 28 (or a similar non-Federal law);
(18) owed to a pension, profit-sharing, stock bonus, or other plan established under
section 401, 403, 408, 408A, 414, 457, or 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
under
(A) a loan permitted under section 408(b)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, or subject to section 72(p) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
(B) a loan from a thrift savings plan permitted under subchapter III of chapter 84 of
title 5, that satisfies the requirements of section 8433(g) of such title;
but nothing in this paragraph may be construed to provide that any loan made under a
governmental plan under section 414 (d), or a contract or account under section 403(b), of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 constitutes a claim or a debt under this title; or
(19) that
(A) is for
(i) the violation of any of the Federal securities laws (as that term is defined in
section 3(a)(47) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), any of the State securities
laws, or any regulation or order issued under such Federal or State securities laws; or
(ii) common law fraud, deceit, or manipulation in connection with the purchase or sale of
any security; and
(B) results, before, on, or after the date on which the petition was filed, from
(i) any judgment, order, consent order, or decree entered in any Federal or State judicial
or administrative proceeding;
(ii) any settlement agreement entered into by the debtor; or
(iii) any court or administrative order for any damages, fine, penalty, citation,
restitutionary payment, disgorgement payment, attorney fee, cost, or other payment owed by
the debtor.
For purposes of this subsection, the term return means a return that satisfies
the requirements of applicable nonbankruptcy law (including applicable filing
requirements). Such term includes a return prepared pursuant to section 6020(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or similar State or local law, or a written stipulation to
a judgment or a final order entered by a nonbankruptcy tribunal, but does not include a
return made pursuant to section 6020(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or a similar
State or local law.
(b) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, a debt that was excepted from
discharge under subsection (a)(1), (a)(3), or (a)(8) of this section, under section
17a(1), 17a(3), or 17a(5) of the Bankruptcy Act, under section 439A [1] of the Higher
Education Act of 1965, or under section 733(g) [1] of the Public Health Service Act in a
prior case concerning the debtor under this title, or under the Bankruptcy Act, is
dischargeable in a case under this title unless, by the terms of subsection (a) of this
section, such debt is not dischargeable in the case under this title.
(c)
(1) Except as provided in subsection (a)(3)(B) of this section, the debtor shall be
discharged from a debt of a kind specified in paragraph (2), (4), or (6) of subsection (a)
of this section, unless, on request of the creditor to whom such debt is owed, and after
notice and a hearing, the court determines such debt to be excepted from discharge under
paragraph (2), (4), or (6), as the case may be, of subsection (a) of this section.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply in the case of a Federal depository institutions
regulatory agency seeking, in its capacity as conservator, receiver, or liquidating agent
for an insured depository institution, to recover a debt described in subsection (a)(2),
(a)(4), (a)(6), or (a)(11) owed to such institution by an institution-affiliated party
unless the receiver, conservator, or liquidating agent was appointed in time to reasonably
comply, or for a Federal depository institutions regulatory agency acting in its corporate
capacity as a successor to such receiver, conservator, or liquidating agent to reasonably
comply, with subsection (a)(3)(B) as a creditor of such institution-affiliated party with
respect to such debt.
(d) If a creditor requests a determination of dischargeability of a consumer debt under
subsection (a)(2) of this section, and such debt is discharged, the court shall grant
judgment in favor of the debtor for the costs of, and a reasonable attorneys fee
for, the proceeding if the court finds that the position of the creditor was not
substantially justified, except that the court shall not award such costs and fees if
special circumstances would make the award unjust.
(e) Any institution-affiliated party of an insured depository institution shall be
considered to be acting in a fiduciary capacity with respect to the purposes of subsection
(a)(4) or (11).
110. Penalty for persons who negligently or
fraudulently prepare bankruptcy petitions
(a) In this section
(1) bankruptcy petition preparer means a person, other than an attorney for the debtor or an employee of such attorney under the direct supervision of such attorney, who prepares for compensation a document for filing; and
(2) document for filing means a petition or any other document prepared for filing by a debtor in a United States bankruptcy court or a United States district court in connection with a case under this title.
(b)
(1) A bankruptcy petition preparer who prepares a document for filing shall sign the document and print on the document the preparers name and address. If a bankruptcy petition preparer is not an individual, then an officer, principal, responsible person, or partner of the bankruptcy petition preparer shall be required to
(A) sign the document for filing; and
(B) print on the document the name and address of that officer, principal, responsible person, or partner.
(2)
(A) Before preparing any document for filing or accepting any fees from or on behalf of a debtor, the bankruptcy petition preparer shall provide to the debtor a written notice which shall be on an official form prescribed by the Judicial Conference of the United States in accordance with rule 9009 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
(B) The notice under subparagraph (A)
(i) shall inform the debtor in simple language that a bankruptcy petition preparer is not an attorney and may not practice law or give legal advice;
(ii) may contain a description of examples of legal advice that a bankruptcy petition preparer is not authorized to give, in addition to any advice that the preparer may not give by reason of subsection (e)(2); and
(iii) shall
(I) be signed by the debtor and, under penalty of perjury, by the bankruptcy petition preparer; and
(II) be filed with any document for filing.
(c)
(1) A bankruptcy petition preparer who prepares a document for filing shall place on the document, after the preparers signature, an identifying number that identifies individuals who prepared the document.
(2)
(A) Subject to subparagraph (B), for purposes of this section, the identifying number of a bankruptcy petition preparer shall be the Social Security account number of each individual who prepared the document or assisted in its preparation.
(B) If a bankruptcy petition preparer is not an individual, the identifying number of the bankruptcy petition preparer shall be the Social Security account number of the officer, principal, responsible person, or partner of the bankruptcy petition preparer.
(d) A bankruptcy petition preparer shall, not later than the time at which a document for filing is presented for the debtors signature, furnish to the debtor a copy of the document.
(e)
(1) A bankruptcy petition preparer shall not execute any document on behalf of a debtor.
(2)
(A) A bankruptcy petition preparer may not offer a potential bankruptcy debtor any legal advice, including any legal advice described in subparagraph (B).
(B) The legal advice referred to in subparagraph (A) includes advising the debtor
(i) whether
(I) to file a petition under this title; or
(II) commencing a case under chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13 is appropriate;
(ii) whether the debtors debts will be discharged in a case under this title;
(iii) whether the debtor will be able to retain the debtors home, car, or other property after commencing a case under this title;
(iv) concerning
(I) the tax consequences of a case brought under this title; or
(II) the dischargeability of tax claims;
(v) whether the debtor may or should promise to repay debts to a creditor or enter into a reaffirmation agreement with a creditor to reaffirm a debt;
(vi) concerning how to characterize the nature of the debtors interests in property or the debtors debts; or
(vii) concerning bankruptcy procedures and rights.
(f) A bankruptcy petition preparer shall not use the word legal or any similar
term in any advertisements, or advertise under any category that includes the word
legal or any similar term.
(g) A bankruptcy petition preparer shall not collect or receive any payment from the
debtor or on behalf of the debtor for the court fees in connection with filing the
petition.
(h)
(1) The Supreme Court may promulgate rules under section 2075 of title 28, or the Judicial
Conference of the United States may prescribe guidelines, for setting a maximum allowable
fee chargeable by a bankruptcy petition preparer. A bankruptcy petition preparer shall
notify the debtor of any such maximum amount before preparing any document for filing for
the debtor or accepting any fee from or on behalf of the debtor.
(2) A declaration under penalty of perjury by the bankruptcy petition preparer shall be filed together with the petition, disclosing any fee received from or on behalf of the debtor within 12 months immediately prior to the filing of the case, and any unpaid fee charged to the debtor. If rules or guidelines setting a maximum fee for services have been promulgated or prescribed under paragraph (1), the declaration under this paragraph shall include a certification that the bankruptcy petition preparer complied with the notification requirement under paragraph (1).
(3)
(A) The court shall disallow and order the immediate turnover to the bankruptcy trustee any fee referred to in paragraph (2)
(i) found to be in excess of the value of any services rendered by the bankruptcy petition preparer during the 12-month period immediately preceding the date of the filing of the petition; or
(ii) found to be in violation of any rule or guideline promulgated or prescribed under paragraph (1).
(B) All fees charged by a bankruptcy petition preparer may be forfeited in any case in which the bankruptcy petition preparer fails to comply with this subsection or subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), or (g).
(C) An individual may exempt any funds recovered under this paragraph under section 522 (b).
(4) The debtor, the trustee, a creditor, the United States trustee (or the bankruptcy administrator, if any) or the court, on the initiative of the court, may file a motion for an order under paragraph (3).
(5) A bankruptcy petition preparer shall be fined not more than $500 for each failure to comply with a court order to turn over funds within 30 days of service of such order.
(i)
(1) If a bankruptcy petition preparer violates this section or commits any act that the court finds to be fraudulent, unfair, or deceptive, on the motion of the debtor, trustee, United States trustee (or the bankruptcy administrator, if any), and after notice and a hearing, the court shall order the bankruptcy petition preparer to pay to the debtor
(A) the debtors actual damages;
(B) the greater of
(i) $2,000; or
(ii) twice the amount paid by the debtor to the bankruptcy petition preparer for the preparers services; and
(C) reasonable attorneys fees and costs in moving for damages under this subsection.
(2) If the trustee or creditor moves for damages on behalf of the debtor under this subsection, the bankruptcy petition preparer shall be ordered to pay the movant the additional amount of $1,000 plus reasonable attorneys fees and costs incurred.
(j)
(1) A debtor for whom a bankruptcy petition preparer has prepared a document for filing, the trustee, a creditor, or the United States trustee in the district in which the bankruptcy petition preparer resides, has conducted business, or the United States trustee in any other district in which the debtor resides may bring a civil action to enjoin a bankruptcy petition preparer from engaging in any conduct in violation of this section or from further acting as a bankruptcy petition preparer.
(2)
(A) In an action under paragraph (1), if the court finds that
(i) a bankruptcy petition preparer has
(I) engaged in conduct in violation of this section or of any provision of this title;
(II) misrepresented the preparers experience or education as a bankruptcy petition preparer; or
(III) engaged in any other fraudulent, unfair, or deceptive conduct; and
(ii) injunctive relief is appropriate to prevent the recurrence of such conduct,
the court may enjoin the bankruptcy petition preparer from engaging in such conduct.
(B) If the court finds that a bankruptcy petition preparer has continually engaged in conduct described in subclause (I), (II), or (III) of clause (i) and that an injunction prohibiting such conduct would not be sufficient to prevent such persons interference with the proper administration of this title, has not paid a penalty imposed under this section, or failed to disgorge all fees ordered by the court the court may enjoin the person from acting as a bankruptcy petition preparer.
(3) The court, as part of its contempt power, may enjoin a bankruptcy petition preparer that has failed to comply with a previous order issued under this section. The injunction under this paragraph may be issued on the motion of the court, the trustee, or the United States trustee (or the bankruptcy administrator, if any).
(4) The court shall award to a debtor, trustee, or creditor that brings a successful action under this subsection reasonable attorneys fees and costs of the action, to be paid by the bankruptcy petition preparer.
(k) Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit activities that are otherwise prohibited by law, including rules and laws that prohibit the unauthorized practice of law.
(l)
(1) A bankruptcy petition preparer who fails to comply with any provision of subsection (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), or (h) may be fined not more than $500 for each such failure.
(2) The court shall triple the amount of a fine assessed under paragraph (1) in any case
in which the court finds that a bankruptcy petition preparer
(A) advised the debtor to exclude assets or income that should have been included on applicable schedules;
(B) advised the debtor to use a false Social Security account number;
(C) failed to inform the debtor that the debtor was filing for relief under this title; or
(D) prepared a document for filing in a manner that failed to disclose the identity of the bankruptcy petition preparer.
(3) A debtor, trustee, creditor, or United States trustee (or the bankruptcy
administrator, if any) may file a motion for an order imposing a fine on the bankruptcy
petition preparer for any violation of this section.
(4)
(A) Fines imposed under this subsection in judicial districts served by United States
trustees shall be paid to the United States trustees, who shall deposit an amount equal to
such fines in the United States Trustee Fund.
(B) Fines imposed under this subsection in judicial districts served by bankruptcy administrators shall be deposited as offsetting receipts to the fund established under section 1931 of title 28, and shall remain available until expended to reimburse any appropriation for the amount paid out of such appropriation for expenses of the operation and maintenance of the courts of the United States.
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506. Determination of secured status
(a)
(1) An allowed claim of a creditor secured by a lien on property in which the estate has an interest, or that is subject to setoff under section 553 of this title, is a secured claim to the extent of the value of such creditors interest in the estates interest in such property, or to the extent of the amount subject to setoff, as the case may be, and is an unsecured claim to the extent that the value of such creditors interest or the amount so subject to setoff is less than the amount of such allowed claim. Such value shall be determined in light of the purpose of the valuation and of the proposed disposition or use of such property, and in conjunction with any hearing on such disposition or use or on a plan affecting such creditors interest.
(2) If the debtor is an individual in a case under chapter 7 or 13, such value with respect to personal property securing an allowed claim shall be determined based on the replacement value of such property as of the date of the filing of the petition without deduction for costs of sale or marketing. With respect to property acquired for personal, family, or household purposes, replacement value shall mean the price a retail merchant would charge for property of that kind considering the age and condition of the property at the time value is determined.
(b) To the extent that an allowed secured claim is secured by property the value of which, after any recovery under subsection (c) of this section, is greater than the amount of such claim, there shall be allowed to the holder of such claim, interest on such claim, and any reasonable fees, costs, or charges provided for under the agreement or State statute under which such claim arose.
(c) The trustee may recover from property securing an allowed secured claim the reasonable, necessary costs and expenses of preserving, or disposing of, such property to the extent of any benefit to the holder of such claim, including the payment of all ad valorem property taxes with respect to the property.
(d) To the extent that a lien secures a claim against the debtor that is not an allowed secured claim, such lien is void, unless
(1) such claim was disallowed only under section 502 (b)(5) or 502 (e) of this title; or
(2) such claim is not an allowed secured claim due only to the failure of any entity to file a proof of such claim under section 501 of this title.
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526. Restrictions on debt relief agencies
(a) A debt relief agency shall not
(1) fail to perform any service that such agency informed an assisted person or prospective assisted person it would provide in connection with a case or proceeding under this title;
(2) make any statement, or counsel or advise any assisted person or prospective assisted person to make a statement in a document filed in a case or proceeding under this title, that is untrue or misleading, or that upon the exercise of reasonable care, should have been known by such agency to be untrue or misleading;
(3) misrepresent to any assisted person or prospective assisted person, directly or indirectly, affirmatively or by material omission, with respect to
(A) the services that such agency will provide to such person; or
(B) the benefits and risks that may result if such person becomes a debtor in a case under this title; or
(4) advise an assisted person or prospective assisted person to incur more debt in contemplation of such person filing a case under this title or to pay an attorney or bankruptcy petition preparer a fee or charge for services performed as part of preparing for or representing a debtor in a case under this title.
(b) Any waiver by any assisted person of any protection or right provided under this
section shall not be enforceable against the debtor by any Federal or State court or any
other person, but may be enforced against a debt relief agency.
(c)
(1) Any contract for bankruptcy assistance between a debt relief agency and an assisted person that does not comply with the material requirements of this section, section 527, or section 528 shall be void and may not be enforced by any Federal or State court or by any other person, other than such assisted person.
(2) Any debt relief agency shall be liable to an assisted person in the amount of any fees or charges in connection with providing bankruptcy assistance to such person that such debt relief agency has received, for actual damages, and for reasonable attorneys fees and costs if such agency is found, after notice and a hearing, to have
(A) intentionally or negligently failed to comply with any provision of this section, section 527, or section 528 with respect to a case or proceeding under this title for such assisted person;
(B) provided bankruptcy assistance to an assisted person in a case or proceeding under this title that is dismissed or converted to a case under another chapter of this title because of such agencys intentional or negligent failure to file any required document including those specified in section 521; or
(C) intentionally or negligently disregarded the material requirements of this title or the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure applicable to such agency.
(3) In addition to such other remedies as are provided under State law, whenever the chief law enforcement officer of a State, or an official or agency designated by a State, has reason to believe that any person has violated or is violating this section, the State
(A) may bring an action to enjoin such violation;
(B) may bring an action on behalf of its residents to recover the actual damages of assisted persons arising from such violation, including any liability under paragraph (2); and
(C) in the case of any successful action under subparagraph (A) or (B), shall be awarded the costs of the action and reasonable attorneys fees as determined by the court.
(4) The district courts of the United States for districts located in the State shall have concurrent jurisdiction of any action under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (3).
(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of Federal law and in addition to any other remedy provided under Federal or State law, if the court, on its own motion or on the motion of the United States trustee or the debtor, finds that a person intentionally violated this section, or engaged in a clear and consistent pattern or practice of violating this section, the court may
(A) enjoin the violation of such section; or
(B) impose an appropriate civil penalty against such person.
(d) No provision of this section, section 527, or section 528 shall
(1) annul, alter, affect, or exempt any person subject to such sections from complying with any law of any State except to the extent that such law is inconsistent with those sections, and then only to the extent of the inconsistency; or
(2) be deemed to limit or curtail the authority or ability
(A) of a State or subdivision or instrumentality thereof, to determine and enforce qualifications for the practice of law under the laws of that State; or
(B) of a Federal court to determine and enforce the qualifications for the practice of law before that court.
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527. Disclosures
(a) A debt relief agency providing bankruptcy assistance to an assisted person shall
provide
(1) the written notice required under section 342 (b)(1); and
(2) to the extent not covered in the written notice described in paragraph (1), and not later than 3 business days after the first date on which a debt relief agency first offers to provide any bankruptcy assistance services to an assisted person, a clear and conspicuous written notice advising assisted persons that
(A) all information that the assisted person is required to provide with a petition and thereafter during a case under this title is required to be complete, accurate, and truthful;
(B) all assets and all liabilities are required to be completely and accurately disclosed in the documents filed to commence the case, and the replacement value of each asset as defined in section 506 must be stated in those documents where requested after reasonable inquiry to establish such value;
(C) current monthly income, the amounts specified in section 707 (b)(2), and, in a case under chapter 13 of this title, disposable income (determined in accordance with section 707 (b)(2)), are required to be stated after reasonable inquiry; and
(D) information that an assisted person provides during their case may be audited pursuant to this title, and that failure to provide such information may result in dismissal of the case under this title or other sanction, including a criminal sanction.
(b) A debt relief agency providing bankruptcy assistance to an assisted person shall
provide each assisted person at the same time as the notices required under subsection
(a)(1) the following statement, to the extent applicable, or one substantially similar.
The statement shall be clear and conspicuous and shall be in a single document separate
from other documents or notices provided to the assisted person:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BANKRUPTCY ASSISTANCE SERVICES FROM AN ATTORNEY OR
BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARER.
If you decide to seek bankruptcy relief, you can represent yourself, you can hire an
attorney to represent you, or you can get help in some localities from a bankruptcy
petition preparer who is not an attorney. THE LAW REQUIRES AN ATTORNEY OR BANKRUPTCY
PETITION PREPARER TO GIVE YOU A WRITTEN CONTRACT SPECIFYING WHAT THE ATTORNEY OR
BANKRUPTCY PETITION PREPARER WILL DO FOR YOU AND HOW MUCH IT WILL COST. Ask to see the
contract before you hire anyone.
The following information helps you understand what must be done in a routine
bankruptcy case to help you evaluate how much service you need. Although bankruptcy can be
complex, many cases are routine.
Before filing a bankruptcy case, either you or your attorney should analyze your
eligibility for different forms of debt relief available under the Bankruptcy Code and
which form of relief is most likely to be beneficial for you. Be sure you understand the
relief you can obtain and its limitations. To file a bankruptcy case, documents called a
Petition, Schedules, and Statement of Financial Affairs, and in some cases a Statement of
Intention, need to be prepared correctly and filed with the bankruptcy court. You will
have to pay a filing fee to the bankruptcy court. Once your case starts, you will have to
attend the required first meeting of creditors where you may be questioned by a court
official called a trustee and by creditors.
If you choose to file a chapter 7 case, you may be asked by a creditor to reaffirm a
debt. You may want help deciding whether to do so. A creditor is not permitted to coerce
you into reaffirming your debts.
If you choose to file a chapter 13 case in which you repay your creditors what you
can afford over 3 to 5 years, you may also want help with preparing your chapter 13 plan
and with the confirmation hearing on your plan which will be before a bankruptcy judge.
If you select another type of relief under the Bankruptcy Code other than chapter 7
or chapter 13, you will want to find out what should be done from someone familiar with
that type of relief.
Your bankruptcy case may also involve litigation. You are generally permitted to
represent yourself in litigation in bankruptcy court, but only attorneys, not bankruptcy
petition preparers, can give you legal advice..
(c) Except to the extent the debt relief agency provides the required information itself after reasonably diligent inquiry of the assisted person or others so as to obtain such information reasonably accurately for inclusion on the petition, schedules or statement of financial affairs, a debt relief agency providing bankruptcy assistance to an assisted person, to the extent permitted by nonbankruptcy law, shall provide each assisted person at the time required for the notice required under subsection (a)(1) reasonably sufficient information (which shall be provided in a clear and conspicuous writing) to the assisted person on how to provide all the information the assisted person is required to provide under this title pursuant to section 521, including
(1) how to value assets at replacement value, determine current monthly income, the amounts specified in section 707 (b)(2) and, in a chapter 13 case, how to determine disposable income in accordance with section 707 (b)(2) and related calculations;
(2) how to complete the list of creditors, including how to determine what amount is owed and what address for the creditor should be shown; and
(3) how to determine what property is exempt and how to value exempt property at replacement value as defined in section 506.
(d) A debt relief agency shall maintain a copy of the notices required under subsection
(a) of this section for 2 years after the date on which the notice is given the assisted
person.
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528. Requirements for debt relief agencies
(a) A debt relief agency shall
(1) not later than 5 business days after the first date on which such agency provides any bankruptcy assistance services to an assisted person, but prior to such assisted persons petition under this title being filed, execute a written contract with such assisted person that explains clearly and conspicuously
(A) the services such agency will provide to such assisted person; and
(B) the fees or charges for such services, and the terms of payment;
(2) provide the assisted person with a copy of the fully executed and completed contract;
(3) clearly and conspicuously disclose in any advertisement of bankruptcy assistance services or of the benefits of bankruptcy directed to the general public (whether in general media, seminars or specific mailings, telephonic or electronic messages, or otherwise) that the services or benefits are with respect to bankruptcy relief under this title; and
(4) clearly and conspicuously use the following statement in such advertisement: We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. or a substantially similar statement.
(b)
(1) An advertisement of bankruptcy assistance services or of the benefits of bankruptcy directed to the general public includes
(A) descriptions of bankruptcy assistance in connection with a chapter 13 plan whether or not chapter 13 is specifically mentioned in such advertisement; and
(B) statements such as federally supervised repayment plan or Federal debt restructuring help or other similar statements that could lead a reasonable consumer to believe that debt counseling was being offered when in fact the services were directed to providing bankruptcy assistance with a chapter 13 plan or other form of bankruptcy relief under this title.
(2) An advertisement, directed to the general public, indicating that the debt relief agency provides assistance with respect to credit defaults, mortgage foreclosures, eviction proceedings, excessive debt, debt collection pressure, or inability to pay any consumer debt shall
(A) disclose clearly and conspicuously in such advertisement that the assistance may involve bankruptcy relief under this title; and
(B) include the following statement: We are a debt relief agency. We help people file for bankruptcy relief under the Bankruptcy Code. or a substantially similar statement.
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342. Notice
(a) There shall be given such notice as is appropriate, including notice to any holder of a community claim, of an order for relief in a case under this title.
(b) Before the commencement of a case under this title by an individual whose debts are primarily consumer debts, the clerk shall give to such individual written notice containing
(1) a brief description of
(A) chapters 7, 11, 12, and 13 and the general purpose, benefits, and costs of proceeding under each of those chapters; and
(B) the types of services available from credit counseling agencies; and
(2) statements specifying that
(A) a person who knowingly and fraudulently conceals assets or makes a false oath or statement under penalty of perjury in connection with a case under this title shall be subject to fine, imprisonment, or both; and
(B) all information supplied by a debtor in connection with a case under this title is subject to examination by the Attorney General.
(c)
(1) If notice is required to be given by the debtor to a creditor under this title, any rule, any applicable law, or any order of the court, such notice shall contain the name, address, and last 4 digits of the taxpayer identification number of the debtor. If the notice concerns an amendment that adds a creditor to the schedules of assets and liabilities, the debtor shall include the full taxpayer identification number in the notice sent to that creditor, but the debtor shall include only the last 4 digits of the taxpayer identification number in the copy of the notice filed with the court.
(2)
(A) If, within the 90 days before the commencement of a voluntary case, a creditor supplies the debtor in at least 2 communications sent to the debtor with the current account number of the debtor and the address at which such creditor requests to receive correspondence, then any notice required by this title to be sent by the debtor to such creditor shall be sent to such address and shall include such account number.
(B) If a creditor would be in violation of applicable nonbankruptcy law by sending any such communication within such 90-day period and if such creditor supplies the debtor in the last 2 communications with the current account number of the debtor and the address at which such creditor requests to receive correspondence, then any notice required by this title to be sent by the debtor to such creditor shall be sent to such address and shall include such account number.
(d) In a case under chapter 7 of this title in which the debtor is an individual and in which the presumption of abuse arises under section 707 (b), the clerk shall give written notice to all creditors not later than 10 days after the date of the filing of the petition that the presumption of abuse has arisen.
(e)
(1) In a case under chapter 7 or 13 of this title of a debtor who is an individual, a creditor at any time may both file with the court and serve on the debtor a notice of address to be used to provide notice in such case to such creditor.
(2) Any notice in such case required to be provided to such creditor by the debtor or the court later than 7 days after the court and the debtor receive such creditors notice of address, shall be provided to such address.
(f)
(1) An entity may file with any bankruptcy court a notice of address to be used by all the bankruptcy courts or by particular bankruptcy courts, as so specified by such entity at the time such notice is filed, to provide notice to such entity in all cases under chapters 7 and 13 pending in the courts with respect to which such notice is filed, in which such entity is a creditor.
(2) In any case filed under chapter 7 or 13, any notice required to be provided by a court with respect to which a notice is filed under paragraph (1), to such entity later than 30 days after the filing of such notice under paragraph (1) shall be provided to such address unless with respect to a particular case a different address is specified in a notice filed and served in accordance with subsection (e).
(3) A notice filed under paragraph (1) may be withdrawn by such entity.
(g)
(1) Notice provided to a creditor by the debtor or the court other than in accordance with this section (excluding this subsection) shall not be effective notice until such notice is brought to the attention of such creditor. If such creditor designates a person or an organizational subdivision of such creditor to be responsible for receiving notices under this title and establishes reasonable procedures so that such notices receivable by such creditor are to be delivered to such person or such subdivision, then a notice provided to such creditor other than in accordance with this section (excluding this subsection) shall not be considered to have been brought to the attention of such creditor until such notice is received by such person or such subdivision.
(2) A monetary penalty may not be imposed on a creditor for a violation of a stay in
effect under section 362 (a) (including a monetary penalty imposed under section 362 (k))
or for failure to comply with section 542 or 543 unless the conduct that is the basis of
such violation or of such failure occurs after such creditor receives notice effective
under this section of the order for relief.
---------------------------------------------
707. Dismissal of a case or conversion to a
case under chapter 11 or 13
(a) The court may dismiss a case under this chapter only after notice and a hearing and
only for cause, including
(1) unreasonable delay by the debtor that is prejudicial to creditors;
(2) nonpayment of any fees or charges required under chapter 123 of title 28; and
(3) failure of the debtor in a voluntary case to file, within fifteen days or such additional time as the court may allow after the filing of the petition commencing such case, the information required by paragraph (1) of section 521 (a), but only on a motion by the United States trustee.
(b)
(1) After notice and a hearing, the court, on its own motion or on a motion by the United States trustee, trustee (or bankruptcy administrator, if any), or any party in interest, may dismiss a case filed by an individual debtor under this chapter whose debts are primarily consumer debts, or, with the debtors consent, convert such a case to a case under chapter 11 or 13 of this title, if it finds that the granting of relief would be an abuse of the provisions of this chapter. In making a determination whether to dismiss a case under this section, the court may not take into consideration whether a debtor has made, or continues to make, charitable contributions (that meet the definition of charitable contribution under section 548 (d)(3)) to any qualified religious or charitable entity or organization (as that term is defined in section 548 (d)(4)).
(2)
(A)
(i) In considering under paragraph (1) whether the granting of relief would be an abuse of the provisions of this chapter, the court shall presume abuse exists if the debtors current monthly income reduced by the amounts determined under clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv), and multiplied by 60 is not less than the lesser of
(I) 25 percent of the debtors nonpriority unsecured claims in the case, or $6,000, whichever is greater; or
(II) $10,000.
(ii)
(I) The debtors monthly expenses shall be the debtors applicable monthly expense amounts specified under the National Standards and Local Standards, and the debtors actual monthly expenses for the categories specified as Other Necessary Expenses issued by the Internal Revenue Service for the area in which the debtor resides, as in effect on the date of the order for relief, for the debtor, the dependents of the debtor, and the spouse of the debtor in a joint case, if the spouse is not otherwise a dependent. Such expenses shall include reasonably necessary health insurance, disability insurance, and health savings account expenses for the debtor, the spouse of the debtor, or the dependents of the debtor. Notwithstanding any other provision of this clause, the monthly expenses of the debtor shall not include any payments for debts. In addition, the debtors monthly expenses shall include the debtors reasonably necessary expenses incurred to maintain the safety of the debtor and the family of the debtor from family violence as identified under section 302 of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, or other applicable Federal law. The expenses included in the debtors monthly expenses described in the preceding sentence shall be kept confidential by the court. In addition, if it is demonstrated that it is reasonable and necessary, the debtors monthly expenses may also include an additional allowance for food and clothing of up to 5 percent of the food and clothing categories as specified by the National Standards issued by the Internal Revenue Service.
(II) In addition, the debtors monthly expenses may include, if applicable, the continuation of actual expenses paid by the debtor that are reasonable and necessary for care and support of an elderly, chronically ill, or disabled household member or member of the debtors immediate family (including parents, grandparents, siblings, children, and grandchildren of the debtor, the dependents of the debtor, and the spouse of the debtor in a joint case who is not a dependent) and who is unable to pay for such reasonable and necessary expenses.
(III) In addition, for a debtor eligible for chapter 13, the debtors monthly expenses may include the actual administrative expenses of administering a chapter 13 plan for the district in which the debtor resides, up to an amount of 10 percent of the projected plan payments, as determined under schedules issued by the Executive Office for United States Trustees.
(IV) In addition, the debtors monthly expenses may include the actual expenses for each dependent child less than 18 years of age, not to exceed $1,500 per year per child, to attend a private or public elementary or secondary school if the debtor provides documentation of such expenses and a detailed explanation of why such expenses are reasonable and necessary, and why such expenses are not already accounted for in the National Standards, Local Standards, or Other Necessary Expenses referred to in subclause (I).
(V) In addition, the debtors monthly expenses may include an allowance for housing and utilities, in excess of the allowance specified by the Local Standards for housing and utilities issued by the Internal Revenue Service, based on the actual expenses for home energy costs if the debtor provides documentation of such actual expenses and demonstrates that such actual expenses are reasonable and necessary.
(iii) The debtors average monthly payments on account of secured debts shall be calculated as the sum of
(I) the total of all amounts scheduled as contractually due to secured creditors in each month of the 60 months following the date of the filing of the petition; and
(II) any additional payments to secured creditors necessary for the debtor, in filing a
plan under chapter 13 of this title, to maintain possession of the debtors primary
residence, motor vehicle, or other property necessary for the support of the debtor and
the debtors dependents, that serves as collateral for secured debts;
divided by 60.
(iv) The debtors expenses for payment of all priority claims (including priority child support and alimony claims) shall be calculated as the total amount of debts entitled to priority, divided by 60.
(B)
(i) In any proceeding brought under this subsection, the presumption of abuse may only be rebutted by demonstrating special circumstances, such as a serious medical condition or a call or order to active duty in the Armed Forces, to the extent such special circumstances that justify additional expenses or adjustments of current monthly income for which there is no reasonable alternative.
(ii) In order to establish special circumstances, the debtor shall be required to itemize each additional expense or adjustment of income and to provide
(I) documentation for such expense or adjustment to income; and
(II) a detailed explanation of the special circumstances that make such expenses or adjustment to income necessary and reasonable.
(iii) The debtor shall attest under oath to the accuracy of any information provided to demonstrate that additional expenses or adjustments to income are required.
(iv) The presumption of abuse may only be rebutted if the additional expenses or adjustments to income referred to in clause (i) cause the product of the debtors current monthly income reduced by the amounts determined under clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv) of subparagraph (A) when multiplied by 60 to be less than the lesser of
(I) 25 percent of the debtors nonpriority unsecured claims, or $6,000, whichever is greater; or
(II) $10,000.
(C) As part of the schedule of current income and expenditures required under section 521, the debtor shall include a statement of the debtors current monthly income, and the calculations that determine whether a presumption arises under subparagraph (A)(i), that show how each such amount is calculated.
(D) Subparagraphs (A) through (C) shall not apply, and the court may not dismiss or convert a case based on any form of means testing
(i) if the debtor is a disabled veteran (as defined in section 3741 (1) of title 38), and the indebtedness occurred primarily during a period during which he or she was
(I) on active duty (as defined in section 101 (d)(1) of title 10); or
(II) performing a homeland defense activity (as defined in section 901 (1) of title 32); or
(ii) with respect to the debtor, while the debtor is
(I) on, and during the 540-day period beginning immediately after the debtor is released from, a period of active duty (as defined in section 101 (d)(1) of title 10) of not less than 90 days; or
(II) performing, and during the 540-day period beginning immediately after the debtor is
no longer performing, a homeland defense activity (as defined in section 901 (1) of title
32) performed for a period of not less than 90 days;
if after September 11, 2001, the debtor while a member of a reserve component of the Armed
Forces or a member of the National Guard, was called to such active duty or performed such
homeland defense activity.
(3) In considering under paragraph (1) whether the granting of relief would be an abuse of the provisions of this chapter in a case in which the presumption in paragraph (2)(A)(i) does not arise or is rebutted, the court shall consider
(A) whether the debtor filed the petition in bad faith; or
(B) the totality of the circumstances (including whether the debtor seeks to reject a personal services contract and the financial need for such rejection as sought by the debtor) of the debtors financial situation demonstrates abuse.
(4)
(A) The court, on its own initiative or on the motion of a party in interest, in accordance with the procedures described in rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, may order the attorney for the debtor to reimburse the trustee for all reasonable costs in prosecuting a motion filed under section 707 (b), including reasonable attorneys fees, if
(i) a trustee files a motion for dismissal or conversion under this subsection; and
(ii) the court
(I) grants such motion; and
(II) finds that the action of the attorney for the debtor in filing a case under this chapter violated rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure.
(B) If the court finds that the attorney for the debtor violated rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, the court, on its own initiative or on the motion of a party in interest, in accordance with such procedures, may order
(i) the assessment of an appropriate civil penalty against the attorney for the debtor;
and
(ii) the payment of such civil penalty to the trustee, the United States trustee (or the bankruptcy administrator, if any).
(C) The signature of an attorney on a petition, pleading, or written motion shall
constitute a certification that the attorney has
(i) performed a reasonable investigation into the circumstances that gave rise to the petition, pleading, or written motion; and
(ii) determined that the petition, pleading, or written motion
(I) is well grounded in fact; and
(II) is warranted by existing law or a good faith argument for the extension, modification, or reversal of existing law and does not constitute an abuse under paragraph (1).
(D) The signature of an attorney on the petition shall constitute a certification that the attorney has no knowledge after an inquiry that the information in the schedules filed with such petition is incorrect.
(5)
(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and subject to paragraph (6), the court, on its own initiative or on the motion of a party in interest, in accordance with the procedures described in rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, may award a debtor all reasonable costs (including reasonable attorneys fees) in contesting a motion filed by a party in interest (other than a trustee or United States trustee (or bankruptcy administrator, if any)) under this subsection if
(i) the court does not grant the motion; and
(ii) the court finds that
(I) the position of the party that filed the motion violated rule 9011 of the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure; or
(II) the attorney (if any) who filed the motion did not comply with the requirements of clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (4)(C), and the motion was made solely for the purpose of coercing a debtor into waiving a right guaranteed to the debtor under this title.
(B) A small business that has a claim of an aggregate amount less than $1,000 shall not be subject to subparagraph (A)(ii)(I).
(C) For purposes of this paragraph
(i) the term small business means an unincorporated business, partnership, corporation, association, or organization that
(I) has fewer than 25 full-time employees as determined on the date on which the motion is filed; and
(II) is engaged in commercial or business activity; and
(ii) the number of employees of a wholly owned subsidiary of a corporation includes the employees of
(I) a parent corporation; and
(II) any other subsidiary corporation of the parent corporation.
(6) Only the judge or United States trustee (or bankruptcy administrator, if any) may file a motion under section 707 (b), if the current monthly income of the debtor, or in a joint case, the debtor and the debtors spouse, as of the date of the order for relief, when multiplied by 12, is equal to or less than
(A) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person, the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner;
(B) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4 individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable State for a family of the same number or fewer individuals; or
(C) in the case of a debtor in a household exceeding 4 individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable State for a family of 4 or fewer individuals, plus $525 per month for each individual in excess of 4.
(7)
(A) No judge, United States trustee (or bankruptcy administrator, if any), trustee, or other party in interest may file a motion under paragraph (2) if the current monthly income of the debtor, including a veteran (as that term is defined in section 101 of title 38), and the debtors spouse combined, as of the date of the order for relief when multiplied by 12, is equal to or less than
(i) in the case of a debtor in a household of 1 person, the median family income of the applicable State for 1 earner;
(ii) in the case of a debtor in a household of 2, 3, or 4 individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable State for a family of the same number or fewer individuals; or
(iii) in the case of a debtor in a household exceeding 4 individuals, the highest median family income of the applicable State for a family of 4 or fewer individuals, plus $525 per month for each individual in excess of 4.
(B) In a case that is not a joint case, current monthly income of the debtors spouse shall not be considered for purposes of subparagraph (A) if
(i)
(I) the debtor and the debtors spouse are separated under applicable nonbankruptcy law; or
(II) the debtor and the debtors spouse are living separate and apart, other than for the purpose of evading subparagraph (A); and
(ii) the debtor files a statement under penalty of perjury
(I) specifying that the debtor meets the requirement of subclause (I) or (II) of clause (i); and
(II) disclosing the aggregate, or best estimate of the aggregate, amount of any cash or money payments received from the debtors spouse attributed to the debtors current monthly income.
(c)
(1) In this subsection
(A) the term crime of violence has the meaning given such term in section 16 of title 18; and
(B) the term drug trafficking crime has the meaning given such term in section 924 (c)(2) of title 18.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), after notice and a hearing, the court, on a motion by the victim of a crime of violence or a drug trafficking crime, may when it is in the best interest of the victim dismiss a voluntary case filed under this chapter by a debtor who is an individual if such individual was convicted of such crime.
(3) The court may not dismiss a case under paragraph (2) if the debtor establishes by a preponderance of the evidence that the filing of a case under this chapter is necessary to satisfy a claim for a domestic support obligation.
r.
PC 155. (a) Every person against whom an action is pending, or against whom a judgment has been rendered for the recovery of any personal property, who fraudulently conceals, sells, or disposes of that property, with intent to hinder, delay, or defraud the person bringing the action or recovering the judgment, or with such intent removes that property beyond the limits of the county in which it may be at the time of the commencement of the action or the rendering of the judgment, is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, or by fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment. (b) Where the property so concealed, sold, disposed of, or removed consists of a stock in trade, or a part thereof, of a value exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250), the offenses shall be a felony and punishable as such.
PC 531. Every person who is a party to any fraudulent conveyance of any lands, tenements, or hereditaments, goods or chattels, or any right or interest issuing out of the same, or to any bond, suit, judgment, or execution, contract or conveyance, had, made, or contrived with intent to deceive and defraud others, or to defeat, hinder, or delay creditors or others of their just debts, damages, or demands; or who, being a party as aforesaid, at any time wittingly and willingly puts in, uses, avows, maintains, justifies, or defends the same, or any of them, as true, and done, had, or made in good faith, or upon good consideration, or aliens, assigns, or sells any of the lands, tenements, hereditaments, goods, chattels, or other things before mentioned, to him or them conveyed as aforesaid, or any part thereof, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
A person who, having devised or intending to devise a scheme or artifice to defraud and for the purpose of executing or concealing such a scheme or artifice or attempting to do so
18 U.S.C. 1014. Loan and credit applications generally; renewals
and discounts; crop insurance
Whoever knowingly makes any false statement or
report, or willfully overvalues any land, property or security, for the purpose
of influencing in any way the action of the Federal Housing Administration, the
Farm Credit Administration, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation or a company the
Corporation reinsures, the Secretary of Agriculture acting through the Farmers
Home Administration or successor agency, the Rural Development Administration or
successor agency, any Farm Credit Bank, production credit association,
agricultural credit association, bank for cooperatives, or any division,
officer, or employee thereof, or of any regional agricultural credit corporation
established pursuant to law, or a Federal land bank, a Federal land bank
association, a Federal Reserve bank, a small business investment company, as
defined in section 103 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C.
662), or the Small Business Administration in connection with any provision of
that Act, a Federal credit union, an insured State-chartered credit union, any
institution the accounts of which are insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation,,1 any Federal home loan bank, the Federal Housing Finance
Agency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Farm Credit System
Insurance Corporation, or the National Credit Union Administration Board, a
branch or agency of a foreign bank (as such terms are defined in paragraphs (1)
and (3) of section 1(b) of the International Banking Act of 1978), an
organization operating under section 25 or section 25(a) 2 of the Federal
Reserve Act, or a mortgage lending business, or any person or entity that makes
in whole or in part a federally related mortgage loan as defined in section 3 of
the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974, upon any application,
advance, discount, purchase, purchase agreement, repurchase agreement,
commitment, loan, or insurance agreement or application for insurance or a
guarantee, or any change or extension of any of the same, by renewal, deferment
of action or otherwise, or the acceptance, release, or substitution of security
therefor, shall be fined not more than $1,000,000 or imprisoned not more than 30
years, or both. The term State-chartered credit union includes a credit
union chartered under the laws of a State of the United States, the District of
Columbia, or any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.
(United States v. Wells, 519 U.S. 482 (1997) holds that a violation of the
above statute requires no materiality)
18 U.S.C. 1510. Obstruction of criminal investigations
(a) Whoever willfully endeavors by means of bribery to obstruct, delay, or
prevent the communication of information relating to a violation of any criminal
statute of the United States by any person to a criminal investigator shall be
fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
(b) (1) Whoever, being an officer of a financial institution, with the intent to
obstruct a judicial proceeding, directly or indirectly notifies any other person
about the existence or contents of a subpoena for records of that financial
institution, or information that has been furnished in response to that
subpoena, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years,
or both.
(2) Whoever, being an officer of a financial institution, directly
or indirectly notifies
(A) a customer of that financial institution whose
records are sought by a subpoena for records; or
(B) any other person named in that subpoena; about the existence or contents of
that subpoena or
information that has been furnished in response to that subpoena, shall be fined
under this title or
imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
(3) As used
in this subsection
(A) the term an officer of a financial institution
means an officer, director, partner, employee,
agent, or attorney of or for a
financial institution; and
(B) the term subpoena for records means a
Federal grand jury subpoena or a Department of Justice
subpoena (issued under
section 3486 of title 18), for customer records that has been
served relating
to a violation of, or a conspiracy to violate
(i) section 215, 656, 657,
1005, 1006, 1007, 1014, 1344, 1956, 1957, or chapter 53 of title 31; or
(ii)
section 1341 or 1343 affecting a financial institution.
(c) As used in this
section, the term criminal investigator means any individual duly authorized
by a department, agency, or armed force of the United States to conduct or
engage in investigations of or prosecutions for violations of the criminal laws
of the United States.
(d)(1) Whoever
(A) acting as, or being, an officer,
director, agent or employee of a person engaged in the business of insurance
whose activities affect interstate commerce, or
(B) is engaged in the
business of insurance whose activities affect interstate commerce or is involved
(other than as an insured or beneficiary under a policy of insurance) in a
transaction relating to the conduct of affairs of such a business, with intent
to obstruct a judicial proceeding, directly or indirectly notifies any other
person about the existence or contents of a subpoena for records of that person
engaged in such business or information that has been furnished to a Federal
grand jury in response to that subpoena, shall be fined as provided by this
title or imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.
(2) As used in paragraph
(1), the term subpoena for records means a Federal grand jury subpoena for
records that has been served relating to a violation of, or a conspiracy to
violate, section 1033 of this title.
(e) Whoever, having been notified of the
applicable disclosure prohibitions or confidentiality requirements of section
2709(c)(1) of this title, section 626(d)(1) or 627(c)(1) of the Fair Credit
Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681u(d)(1) or 1681v(c)(1)), section 1114(a)(3)(A) or
1114(a)(5)(D)(i) of the Right to Financial Privacy Act 1 (12 U.S.C.
3414(a)(3)(A) or 3414(a)(5)(D)(i)), or section 802(b)(1) of the National
Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 436(b)(1)), knowingly and with the intent to
obstruct an investigation or judicial proceeding violates such prohibitions or
requirements applicable by law to such person shall be imprisoned for not more
than five years, fined under this title, oror imprisoned not more than 5 years,
or both.
18 U.S.C. 1519. Destruction, alteration, or falsification of
records in Federal investigations and bankruptcy
Whoever knowingly alters, destroys, mutilates, conceals, covers up, falsifies, or makes a false entry in any record, document, or tangible object with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation or proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States or any case filed under title 11, or in relation to or contemplation of any such matter or case, shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.
18 U.S. Code 1833 - Exceptions to prohibitions
(a) In general.This chapter does not prohibit
(1) any otherwise lawful
activity conducted by a governmental entity of the United States, a State, or a
political subdivision of a State; or
(2) the disclosure of a trade secret in
accordance with subsection (b)
(b) Immunity from liability
for confidential disclosure of a trade secret to the Government or in a court
filing.
(1) IMMUNITY.An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that
(A) is made
(i) in confidence to a
Federal, State, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or
to an attorney; and
(ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating
a suspected violation of law; or
(B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal.
(2) USE OF TRADE SECRET INFORMATION IN ANTI-RETALIATION LAWSUIT.An individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual
(A) files any document
containing the trade secret under seal; and
(B) does not disclose the trade
secret, except pursuant to court order.
(3) NOTICE.
(A) IN GENERAL.An employer
shall provide notice of the immunity set forth in this subsection in any
contract or agreement with an employee that governs the use of a trade secret or
other confidential information.
(B) POLICY DOCUMENT.An employer shall be
considered to be in compliance with the notice requirement in subparagraph (A)
if the employer provides a cross-reference to a policy document provided to the
employee that sets forth the employer's reporting policy for a suspected
violation of law.
(C) NON-COMPLIANCE.If an employer does not comply with the
notice requirement in subparagraph (A), the employer may not be awarded
exemplary damages or attorney fees under subparagraph (C) or (D) of section
1836(b)(3) in an action against an employee to whom notice was not provided.
(D) APPLICABILITY.This paragraph shall apply to contracts and agreements that
are entered into or updated after the date of enactment of this subsection.
(4) EMPLOYEE DEFINED.For
purposes of this subsection, the term employee includes any individual
performing work as a contractor or consultant for an employer.
(5) RULE
OF CONSTRUCTION.Except as expressly provided for under this subsection, nothing
in this subsection shall be construed to authorize, or limit liability for, an
act that is otherwise prohibited by law, such as the unlawful access of material
by unauthorized means.
18 U.S. Code 1834 -
Criminal forfeiture
Forfeiture, destruction, and restitution relating to this
chapter shall be subject to section 2323, to the extent provided in that
section, in addition to any other similar remedies provided by law.
18
U.S. Code 1835 - Orders to preserve confidentiality
In any prosecution
or other proceeding under this chapter, the court shall enter such orders and
take such other action as may be necessary and appropriate to preserve the
confidentiality of trade secrets, consistent with the requirements of the
Federal Rules of Criminal and Civil Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence,
and all other applicable laws. An interlocutory appeal by the United States
shall lie from a decision or order of a district court authorizing or directing
the disclosure of any trade secret.
18 U.S. Code 1836 - Civil
proceedings
(a) The Attorney General may, in a civil action, obtain
appropriate injunctive relief against any violation of this chapter.
(b) Private civil actions.
(1) IN GENERAL. An owner of a
trade secret that is misappropriated may bring a civil action under this
subsection if the trade secret is related to a product or service used in, or
intended for use in, interstate or foreign commerce.
(2) CIVIL SEIZURE.
(A) IN GENERAL.
(i) APPLICATION.Based on an
affidavit or verified complaint satisfying the requirements of this paragraph,
the court may, upon ex parte application but only in extraordinary
circumstances, issue an order providing for the seizure of property necessary to
prevent the propagation or dissemination of the trade secret that is the subject
of the action.
(ii) REQUIREMENTS FOR ISSUING ORDER.The court may not
grant an application under clause (i) unless the court finds that it clearly
appears from specific facts that
(I) an order issued pursuant
to Rule 65 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure or another form of equitable
relief would be inadequate to achieve the purpose of this paragraph because the
party to which the order would be issued would evade, avoid, or otherwise not
comply with such an order;
(II) an immediate and irreparable injury will
occur if such seizure is not ordered;
(III) the harm to the applicant of
denying the application outweighs the harm to the legitimate interests of the
person against whom seizure would be ordered of granting the application and
substantially outweighs the harm to any third parties who may be harmed by such
seizure;
(IV) the applicant is likely to succeed in showing that
(aa) the information is a
trade secret; and
(bb) the person against whom seizure would be ordered
(AA) misappropriated the
trade secret of the applicant by improper means; or
(BB) conspired to use
improper means to misappropriate the trade secret of the applicant;
(V) the person against whom seizure would be ordered has actual possession of
(aa) the trade secret; and
(bb) any property to be seized;
(VI) the application
describes with reasonable particularity the matter to be seized and, to the
extent reasonable under the circumstances, identifies the location where the
matter is to be seized;
(VII) the person against whom seizure would be
ordered, or persons acting in concert with such person, would destroy, move,
hide, or otherwise make such matter inaccessible to the court, if the applicant
were to proceed on notice to such person; and
(VIII) the applicant has
not publicized the requested seizure.
(B) ELEMENTS OF ORDER.If an order is issued under subparagraph (A), it shall
(i) set forth findings of
fact and conclusions of law required for the order;
(ii) provide for the
narrowest seizure of property necessary to achieve the purpose of this paragraph
and direct that the seizure be conducted in a manner that minimizes any
interruption of the business operations of third parties and, to the extent
possible, does not interrupt the legitimate business operations of the person
accused of misappropriating the trade secret;
(iii)
(I) be accompanied by an
order protecting the seized property from disclosure by prohibiting access by
the applicant or the person against whom the order is directed, and prohibiting
any copies, in whole or in part, of the seized property, to prevent undue damage
to the party against whom the order has issued or others, until such parties
have an opportunity to be heard in court; and
(II) provide that if access
is granted by the court to the applicant or the person against whom the order is
directed, the access shall be consistent with subparagraph (D);
(iv) provide guidance to the law enforcement officials executing the seizure that clearly delineates the scope of the authority of the officials, including
(I) the hours during which
the seizure may be executed; and
(II) whether force may be used to access
locked areas;
(v) set a date for a hearing
described in subparagraph (F) at the earliest possible time, and not later than
7 days after the order has issued, unless the party against whom the order is
directed and others harmed by the order consent to another date for the hearing,
except that a party against whom the order has issued or any person harmed by
the order may move the court at any time to dissolve or modify the order after
giving notice to the applicant who obtained the order; and
(vi) require
the person obtaining the order to provide the security determined adequate by
the court for the payment of the damages that any person may be entitled to
recover as a result of a wrongful or excessive seizure or wrongful or excessive
attempted seizure under this paragraph.
(C) PROTECTION FROM
PUBLICITY.The court shall take appropriate action to protect the person against
whom an order under this paragraph is directed from publicity, by or at the
behest of the person obtaining the order, about such order and any seizure under
such order.
(D) MATERIALS IN CUSTODY OF COURT.
(i) IN GENERAL.Any materials
seized under this paragraph shall be taken into the custody of the court. The
court shall secure the seized material from physical and electronic access
during the seizure and while in the custody of the court.
(ii) STORAGE
MEDIUM.If the seized material includes a storage medium, or if the seized
material is stored on a storage medium, the court shall prohibit the medium from
being connected to a network or the Internet without the consent of both
parties, until the hearing required under subparagraph (B)(v) and described in
subparagraph (F).
(iii) PROTECTION OF CONFIDENTIALITY.The court shall
take appropriate measures to protect the confidentiality of seized materials
that are unrelated to the trade secret information ordered seized pursuant to
this paragraph unless the person against whom the order is entered consents to
disclosure of the material.
(iv) APPOINTMENT OF SPECIAL MASTER.The court
may appoint a special master to locate and isolate all misappropriated trade
secret information and to facilitate the return of unrelated property and data
to the person from whom the property was seized. The special master appointed by
the court shall agree to be bound by a non-disclosure agreement approved by the
court.
(E) SERVICE OF ORDER.The
court shall order that service of a copy of the order under this paragraph, and
the submissions of the applicant to obtain the order, shall be made by a Federal
law enforcement officer who, upon making service, shall carry out the seizure
under the order. The court may allow State or local law enforcement officials to
participate, but may not permit the applicant or any agent of the applicant to
participate in the seizure. At the request of law enforcement officials, the
court may allow a technical expert who is unaffiliated with the applicant and
who is bound by a court-approved non-disclosure agreement to participate in the
seizure if the court determines that the participation of the expert will aid
the efficient execution of and minimize the burden of the seizure.
(F)
SEIZURE HEARING.
(i) DATE.A court that issues
a seizure order shall hold a hearing on the date set by the court under
subparagraph (B)(v).
(ii) BURDEN OF PROOF.At a hearing held under this
subparagraph, the party who obtained the order under subparagraph (A) shall have
the burden to prove the facts supporting the findings of fact and conclusions of
law necessary to support the order. If the party fails to meet that burden, the
seizure order shall be dissolved or modified appropriately.
(iii)
DISSOLUTION OR MODIFICATION OF ORDER.A party against whom the order has been
issued or any person harmed by the order may move the court at any time to
dissolve or modify the order after giving notice to the party who obtained the
order.
(iv) DISCOVERY TIME LIMITS.The court may make such orders
modifying the time limits for discovery under the Federal Rules of Civil
Procedure as may be necessary to prevent the frustration of the purposes of a
hearing under this subparagraph.
(G) ACTION FOR DAMAGE CAUSED
BY WRONGFUL SEIZURE.A person who suffers damage by reason of a wrongful or
excessive seizure under this paragraph has a cause of action against the
applicant for the order under which such seizure was made, and shall be entitled
to the same relief as is provided under section 34(d)(11) of the Trademark Act
of 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1116(d)(11)). The security posted with the court under
subparagraph (B)(vi) shall not limit the recovery of third parties for damages.
(H) MOTION FOR ENCRYPTION.A party or a person who claims to have an
interest in the subject matter seized may make a motion at any time, which may
be heard ex parte, to encrypt any material seized or to be seized under this
paragraph that is stored on a storage medium. The motion shall include, when
possible, the desired encryption method.
(3) REMEDIES.In a civil action brought under this subsection with respect to the misappropriation of a trade secret, a court may
(A) grant an injunction
(i) to prevent any actual or threatened misappropriation described in paragraph (1) on such terms as the court deems reasonable, provided the order does not
(I) prevent a person from
entering into an employment relationship, and that conditions placed on such
employment shall be based on evidence of threatened misappropriation and not
merely on the information the person knows; or
(II) otherwise conflict
with an applicable State law prohibiting restraints on the practice of a lawful
profession, trade, or business;
(ii) if determined
appropriate by the court, requiring affirmative actions to be taken to protect
the trade secret; and
(iii) in exceptional circumstances that render an
injunction inequitable, that conditions future use of the trade secret upon
payment of a reasonable royalty for no longer than the period of time for which
such use could have been prohibited;
(B) award
(i)
(I) damages for actual loss
caused by the misappropriation of the trade secret; and
(II) damages for
any unjust enrichment caused by the misappropriation of the trade secret that is
not addressed in computing damages for actual loss; or
(ii) in lieu of damages measured by any other methods, the damages caused by the misappropriation measured by imposition of liability for a reasonable royalty for the misappropriators unauthorized disclosure or use of the trade secret;
(C) if the trade secret is
willfully and maliciously misappropriated, award exemplary damages in an amount
not more than 2 times the amount of the damages awarded under subparagraph (B);
and
(D) if a claim of the misappropriation is made in bad faith, which
may be established by circumstantial evidence, a motion to terminate an
injunction is made or opposed in bad faith, or the trade secret was willfully
and maliciously misappropriated, award reasonable attorneys fees to the
prevailing party.
(c) Jurisdiction.The
district courts of the United States shall have original jurisdiction of civil
actions brought under this section.
(d) Period of limitations.A civil
action under subsection (b) may not be commenced later than 3 years after the
date on which the misappropriation with respect to which the action would relate
is discovered or by the exercise of reasonable diligence should have been
discovered. For purposes of this subsection, a continuing misappropriation
constitutes a single claim of misappropriation..
18 U.S. Code 3571 - Sentence of fine
(a) In
General. A defendant who has been found guilty of an offense may be sentenced
to pay a fine.
(b) Fines for Individuals. Except as provided in subsection
(e) of this section, an individual who has been found guilty of an offense may
be fined not more than the greatest of
(1) the amount
specified in the law setting forth the offense;
(2) the
applicable amount under subsection (d) of this section;
(3) for a felony, not more than $250,000;
(4) for a
misdemeanor resulting in death, not more than $250,000;
(5) for a Class A misdemeanor that does not result in death, not more than
$100,000;
(6) for a Class B or C misdemeanor that does not
result in death, not more than $5,000; or
(7) for an
infraction, not more than $5,000.
(c) Fines for Organizations. Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, an organization that has been found guilty of an offense may be fined not more than the greatest of
(1) the amount specified in the law setting forth the offense;
(2) the applicable amount under subsection (d) of this section;
(3) for a felony, not more than $500,000;
(4) for a
misdemeanor resulting in death, not more than $500,000;
(5) for a Class A misdemeanor that does not result in death, not more than
$200,000;
(6) for a Class B or C misdemeanor that does not
result in death, not more than $10,000; and
(7) for an
infraction, not more than $10,000.
(d) Alternative Fine Based on Gain or Loss. If any person derives pecuniary gain from the offense, or if the offense results in pecuniary loss to a person other than the defendant, the defendant may be fined not more than the greater of twice the gross gain or twice the gross loss, unless imposition of a fine under this subsection would unduly complicate or prolong the sentencing process.
(e) Special Rule for Lower Fine Specified in Substantive Provision. If a law setting forth an offense specifies no fine or a fine that is lower than the fine otherwise applicable under this section and such law, by specific reference, exempts the offense from the applicability of the fine otherwise applicable under this section, the defendant may not be fined more than the amount specified in the law setting forth the offense.
18 U.S.C. 3282 - Offenses not capital
(a) In General.
Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, no person shall be prosecuted,
tried, or punished for any offense, not capital, unless the indictment is found
or the information is instituted within five years next after such offense shall
have been committed.
(b) DNA Profile Indictment.
(1) In general. In any
indictment for an offense under chapter 109A[[SEXUAL ABUSE ( 22412248)]] for
which the identity of the accused is unknown, it shall be sufficient to describe
the accused as an individual whose name is unknown, but who has a particular DNA
profile.
(2) Exception. Any indictment described under paragraph (1), which
is found not later than 5 years after the offense under chapter 109A [[SEXUAL
ABUSE ( 22412248)]]is committed, shall not be subject to
(A) the
limitations period described under subsection (a); and
(B) the provisions of
chapter 208[[CHAPTER 208SPEEDY TRIAL ( 31613174)]] until the individual is
arrested or served with a summons in connection with the charges contained in
the indictment.
(3) Defined term. For purposes of this subsection, the term DNA profile means a set of DNA identification characteristics.
18 U.S.C. 3284
The concealment of assets of a
debtor in a case under title 11 shall be deemed to be a continuing offense until
the debtor shall have been finally discharged or a discharge denied, and the
period of limitations shall not begin to run until such final discharge or
denial of discharge.
From the U.S. Attorney Manual, 869:
The concealment of assets of a debtor in a case under title 11 shall be deemed
to be a continuing offense until the debtor shall have been finally discharged
or a discharge denied, and the period of limitations shall not begin to run
until such final discharge or denial of discharge.
The concealment of assets
of a debtor in a case under title 11 shall be deemed to be a continuing offense
until the debtor shall have been finally discharged or a discharge denied, and
the period of limitations shall not begin to run until such final discharge or
denial of discharge.
Where the debtor either receives a discharge or is
denied a discharge by court order, the application of 3284 is easy. The five
year period begins with the date of the discharge or denial of the discharge.
However, when a debtor receives neither a discharge nor a denial of the
discharge, determining the statute of limitations is substantially more complex.
Currently there is no provision in the Bankruptcy Code for a corporate
debtor to receive a discharge--i.e., a corporation is not granted a discharge
from its debts. In addition, an individual debtor's bankruptcy case can be
dismissed without a discharge being either granted or denied. QUERY: In a
concealment of assets case where the debtor receives neither a discharge nor a
denial of the discharge when, if ever, does the statute of limitations begin to
run?
These issues have not been directly addressed by the courts in any
recent cases. A literal reading of 18 U.S.C. 3284 would mean that the statute
would never run in the examples cited above since a discharge was neither
granted nor denied. The District Courts in United States v. Newman, 63 F. Supp.
269 (S.D.N.Y. 1945); United States v. Ganaposki, 72 F. Supp. 982 (M.D. Pa.
1947); and United States v. Nazzaro, 65 F. Supp. 456, (S.D.N.Y. 1946) all held
that under the statute prior to 18 U.S. C. 3284 (which provided that the
statute of limitation did not begin to run until the debtor received a
discharge), the failure of the defendant to secure a discharge meant there was
no statute of limitation. They held that this was the clear language Congress
used, and, whether it was wise or not, it was well within Congress' power.
The District Court in United States v. Fraidin, 63 F. Supp. 271 (Md. 1945),
concerned about the possibility of no statute of limitation under the old law,
held that Congress really meant that the statute of limitations would also begin
to run from the time the debtor was denied a discharge, even though Congress did
not say it at the time. In 1948, Congress changed the statute to include the
present "denial of discharge" language.
The Ninth Circuit, using the
present 18 U.S. C. 3284 language, in an individual bankruptcy case, reached
the result that failure of the debtor to either receive a discharge or be denied
a discharge resulted in no statute of limitation. Winslow v. United States, 216
F.2d 912, (9th Cir. 1954), cert. denied, 349 U.S. 922 (1955) (Winslow had full
control to either receive a discharge, or if that was not possible, to secure an
order denying a discharge. Since he did neither the statute of limitation did
not begin to run.); see also, Rudin v. United States, 254 F.2d 45 (6th Cir.),
cert. denied, 357 U.S. 930 (1958)(because a corporation could apply for a
discharge within six months after its adjudication of bankruptcy, the statute of
limitations did not begin to run for the corporate officer who concealed assets
until six months after the corporation was adjudicated a bankrupt). NOTE: Under
present law there is no provision for a corporation to apply for, or receive a
discharge.
The District Court in United States v. Zisblatt Furniture Co.,
78 F. Supp. 9 (S.D.N.Y. 1948), appeal dismissed, 172 F.2d 740, (2d Cir. 1949),
appeal by U.S. dismissed at request of Solicitor General, 336 U.S. 934, (1949),
disagreed with all the previous District Courts and held that statutes of
limitations are favored by the law and should be liberally construed in favor of
the defendant. Since the corporation in Zisblatt had not applied for a
discharge, the general statute of limitations began the date the individual
defendant, who was an officer of the company, concealed the company assets.
Thus a debtor who receives neither a discharge nor a denial of the discharge
and who commits the crime of concealment of assets could have the statute of
limitations begin to run on the date of dismissal or on the last day a discharge
could have been granted or may have no statute of limitations at all.
PRACTICE TIP: Although a false statement or declaration may also constitute a
"concealment," Burchinal v. United States, 342 F.2d 982, 985 (10th Cir.), cert.
denied, 382 U.S. 843 (1965), only the crime of concealment of assets receives
the benefit of the extended statute of limitations provided by 18 U.S.C. 3284.
False statements, even for the purpose of concealing assets, are not covered by
18 U.S.C. 3284. United States v. Knoll, 16 F.3d 1313, 1318 (2d Cir.), cert.
denied sub nom. Gleave v. United States, 115 S. Ct. 574 (1994), reh'g denied,
115 S. Ct. 925 (1995).
18 U.S. Code 3559 - Sentencing classification of offenses
(B) each serious violent felony or serious drug offense used as a basis for sentencing under this subsection, other than the first, was committed after the defendants conviction of the preceding serious violent felony or serious drug offense.
(2) Definitions. For purposes of this subsection
(A) the term assault with intent to commit rape means an offense that has as its elements engaging in physical contact with another person or using or brandishing a weapon against another person with intent to commit aggravated sexual abuse or sexual abuse (as described in sections 2241 and 2242);
(B) the term arson means an offense that has as its elements maliciously damaging or destroying any building, inhabited structure, vehicle, vessel, or real property by means of fire or an explosive;
(C) the term extortion means an offense that has as its elements the extraction of anything of value from another person by threatening or placing that person in fear of injury to any person or kidnapping of any person;
(D) the term firearms use means an offense that has as its elements those described in section 924 (c) or 929 (a), if the firearm was brandished, discharged, or otherwise used as a weapon and the crime of violence or drug trafficking crime during and relation to which the firearm was used was subject to prosecution in a court of the United States or a court of a State, or both;
(E) the term kidnapping means an offense that has as its elements the abduction, restraining, confining, or carrying away of another person by force or threat of force;
(F) the term serious violent felony means
(i) a Federal or State offense, by whatever
designation and wherever committed, consisting of
murder (as described in section 1111);
manslaughter
other than involuntary manslaughter (as described in
section 1112);
assault with intent to commit murder
(as described in section 113 (a));
assault with
intent to commit rape;
aggravated sexual abuse and
sexual abuse (as described in sections 2241 and
2242);
abusive sexual contact (as described in
sections 2244 (a)(1) and (a)(2));
kidnapping;
aircraft piracy (as described in section 46502 of
Title 49);
robbery (as described in section 2111,
2113, or 2118);
carjacking (as described in section
2119);
extortion;
arson;
firearms use;
firearms
possession (as described in section 924 (c)); or
attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit any
of the above offenses; and
(ii) any other offense
punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of 10
years or more that has as an element the use,
attempted use, or threatened use of physical force
against the person of another or that, by its
nature, involves a substantial risk that physical
force against the person of another may be used in
the course of committing the offense;
(G) the term State means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, and a commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States; and
(H) the term serious drug offense means
(i) an offense that is punishable under section 401(b)(1)(A) or 408 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841 (b)(1)(A), 848) or section 1010(b)(1)(A) of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960 (b)(1)(A)); or
(ii) an offense under State law that, had the offense been prosecuted in a court of the United States, would have been punishable under section 401(b)(1)(A) or 408 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 841 (b)(1)(A), 848) or section 1010(b)(1)(A) of the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 960 (b)(1)(A)).
(3) Nonqualifying felonies.
(A) Robbery in certain cases. Robbery, an attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit robbery; or an offense described in paragraph (2)(F)(ii) shall not serve as a basis for sentencing under this subsection if the defendant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that (i) no firearm or other dangerous weapon was used in the offense and no threat of use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon was involved in the offense; and (ii) the offense did not result in death or serious bodily injury (as defined in section 1365) to any person.
(B) Arson in certain cases. Arson shall not serve as a basis for sentencing under this subsection if the defendant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that (i) the offense posed no threat to human life; and (ii) the defendant reasonably believed the offense posed no threat to human life.
(4) Information filed by united states attorney. The provisions of section 411(a) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 851 (a)) shall apply to the imposition of sentence under this subsection.
(5) Rule of construction. This subsection shall not be construed to preclude imposition of the death penalty.
(6) Special provision for indian country. No person subject to the criminal jurisdiction of an Indian tribal government shall be subject to this subsection for any offense for which Federal jurisdiction is solely predicated on Indian country (as defined in section 1151) and which occurs within the boundaries of such Indian country unless the governing body of the tribe has elected that this subsection have effect over land and persons subject to the criminal jurisdiction of the tribe.
(7) Resentencing upon overturning of prior conviction. If the conviction for a serious violent felony or serious drug offense that was a basis for sentencing under this subsection is found, pursuant to any appropriate State or Federal procedure, to be unconstitutional or is vitiated on the explicit basis of innocence, or if the convicted person is pardoned on the explicit basis of innocence, the person serving a sentence imposed under this subsection shall be resentenced to any sentence that was available at the time of the original sentencing.
(d) Death or Imprisonment for Crimes Against Children.
(1) In general. Subject to paragraph
(2) and notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who is convicted of a Federal offense that is a serious violent felony (as defined in subsection (c)) or a violation of section 2422, 2423, or 2251 shall, unless the sentence of death is imposed, be sentenced to imprisonment for life, if
(A) the victim of the offense has not
attained the age of 14 years;
(B) the victim dies as
a result of the offense; and
(C) the defendant, in
the course of the offense, engages in conduct
described in section 3591 (a)(2).
(2) Exception. With respect to a person convicted of a Federal offense described in paragraph (1), the court may impose any lesser sentence that is authorized by law to take into account any substantial assistance provided by the defendant in the investigation or prosecution of another person who has committed an offense, in accordance with the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the policy statements of the Federal Sentencing Commission pursuant to section 994 (p) of title 28, or for other good cause.
(e) Mandatory Life Imprisonment for Repeated Sex Offenses Against Children.
(1) In general. A person who is convicted of a Federal sex offense in which a minor is the victim shall be sentenced to life imprisonment if the person has a prior sex conviction in which a minor was the victim, unless the sentence of death is imposed.
(2) Definitions. For the purposes of this subsection
(A) the term Federal sex offense means an offense under section 1591 (relating to sex trafficking of children), 2241 (relating to aggravated sexual abuse), 2242 (relating to sexual abuse), 2244(a)(1) (relating to abusive sexual contact), 2245 (relating to sexual abuse resulting in death), 2251 (relating to sexual exploitation of children), 2251A (relating to selling or buying of children), 2422(b) (relating to coercion and enticement of a minor into prostitution), or 2423(a) (relating to transportation of minors);
(B) the term State sex offense means an offense under State law that is punishable by more than one year in prison and consists of conduct that would be a Federal sex offense if, to the extent or in the manner specified in the applicable provision of this title (i) the offense involved interstate or foreign commerce, or the use of the mails; or (ii) the conduct occurred in any commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, within the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, in a Federal prison, on any land or building owned by, leased to, or otherwise used by or under the control of the Government of the United States, or in the Indian country (as defined in section 1151);
(C) the term prior sex conviction means a conviction for which the sentence was imposed before the conduct occurred constituting the subsequent Federal sex offense, and which was for a Federal sex offense or a State sex offense;
(D) the term minor means an individual who has not attained the age of 17 years; and
(E) the term State has the meaning given that term in subsection (c)(2).
(3) Nonqualifying Felonies. An offense described in section 2422 (b) or 2423 (a) shall not serve as a basis for sentencing under this subsection if the defendant establishes by clear and convincing evidence that
(A) the sexual act or activity was consensual and not for the purpose of commercial or pecuniary gain;
(B) the sexual act or activity would not be punishable by more than one year in prison under the law of the State in which it occurred; or
(C) no
sexual act or activity occurred.
(f) Mandatory Minimum Terms of Imprisonment for Violent Crimes Against Children. A person who is convicted of a Federal offense that is a crime of violence against the person of an individual who has not attained the age of 18 years shall, unless a greater mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment is otherwise provided by law and regardless of any maximum term of imprisonment otherwise provided for the offense
(1) if the crime of violence is murder, be imprisoned for life or for any term of years not less than 30, except that such person shall be punished by death or life imprisonment if the circumstances satisfy any of subparagraphs (A) through (D) of section 3591 (a)(2) of this title;
(2) if the crime of violence is kidnapping (as defined in section 1201) or maiming (as defined in section 114), be imprisoned for life or any term of years not less than 25; and (3) if the crime of violence results in serious bodily injury (as defined in section 1365), or if a dangerous weapon was used during and in relation to the crime of violence, be imprisoned for life or for any term of years not less than 10.
(g)
(1) If a defendant who is convicted of a felony offense (other than offense of which an element is the false registration of a domain name) knowingly falsely registered a domain name and knowingly used that domain name in the course of that offense, the maximum imprisonment otherwise provided by law for that offense shall be doubled or increased by 7 years, whichever is less.
(2) As used in this section
(A) the term falsely registers means registers in a manner that prevents the effective identification of or contact with the person who registers; and
(B) the term domain name has the meaning given that term is [1] section 45 of the Act entitled An Act to provide for the registration and protection of trademarks used in commerce, to carry out the provisions of certain international conventions, and for other purposes approved July 5, 1946 (commonly referred to as the Trademark Act of 1946) (15 U.S.C. 1127).
(3) Personal property purchased at retail
(7) Residential property subject to a mechanics lien for certain repairs and improvements
(a) A patent by its very nature is affected with a public interest. The public interest is best served, and the most effective patent examination occurs when, at the time an application is being examined, the Office is aware of and evaluates the teachings of all information material to patentability. Each individual associated with the filing and prosecution of a patent application has a duty of candor and good faith in dealing with the Office, which includes a duty to disclose to the Office all information known to that individual to be material to patentability as defined in this section. The duty to disclose information exists with respect to each pending claim until the claim is cancelled or withdrawn from consideration, or the application becomes abandoned. Information material to the patentability of a claim that is cancelled or withdrawn from consideration need not be submitted if the information is not material to the patentability of any claim remaining under consideration in the application. There is no duty to submit information which is not material to the patentability of any existing claim. The duty to disclose all information known to be material to patentability is deemed to be satisfied if all information known to be material to patentability of any claim issued in a patent was cited by the Office or submitted to the Office in the manner prescribed by 1.97(b)(d) and 1.98. However, no patent will be granted on an application in connection with which fraud on the Office was practiced or attempted or the duty of disclosure was violated through bad faith or intentional misconduct. The Office encourages applicants to carefully examine:
(1) Prior art cited in search reports of a foreign patent office in a counterpart application, and
(2) The closest information over which individuals associated with the filing or prosecution of a patent application believe any pending claim patentably defines, to make sure that any material information contained therein is disclosed to the Office.
(b) Under this section, information is material to patentability when it is not cumulative to information already of record or being made of record in the application, and
(1) It establishes, by itself or in combination with other information, a prima facie case of unpatentability of a claim; or
(2) It refutes, or is inconsistent with, a position the applicant takes in:
(i) Opposing an argument of unpatentability relied on by the Office, or
(ii) Asserting an argument of patentability.
A prima facie case of unpatentability is established when the information compels a conclusion that a claim is unpatentable under the preponderance of evidence, burden-of-proof standard, giving each term in the claim its broadest reasonable construction consistent with the specification, and before any consideration is given to evidence which may be submitted in an attempt to establish a contrary conclusion of patentability.
(c) Individuals associated with the filing or prosecution of a patent application within the meaning of this section are:
(1) Each inventor named in the application;
(2) Each attorney or agent who prepares or prosecutes the application; and
(3) Every other person who is substantively involved in the preparation or prosecution of the application and who is associated with the inventor, with the assignee or with anyone to whom there is an obligation to assign the application.
(d) Individuals other than the attorney, agent or inventor may comply with this section by disclosing information to the attorney, agent, or inventor.
(e) In any continuation-in-part application, the duty under this section includes the duty to disclose to the Office all information known to the person to be material to patentability, as defined in paragraph (b) of this section, which became available between the filing date of the prior application and the national or PCT international filing date of the continuation-in-part application.
________________________________________________________________________
The FDCPA summary output from the California Bar committee:
(a)Permissible hours for phone contact are between 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Calling during those hours could still be considered a violation if the caller knew or should have known that it was harassing or annoying the debtor.
(b) If requested by a debtor, a debt collector must cease communicate with
debtor. OK to notice suit under 15 U.S.C. 1692c(c). No empty
threats.
(c) A debt collector must not engage to annoy, abuse, or harass any person at the called number 15 U.S.C. 1692d.
(d) No calling debtors at employment after having been advised that this is (a) unwanted contact or (b) prohibited by the employer 15 U.S.C. 1692c(a)(3).
(e) No contact between debt collector & debtor represented by an attorney 15 U.S.C. 1692c(a)(2).
(f) No contact if debtor has submitted a written request for verification of the debt, made within the 30 day validation period, or if debtor requests the name and contact information source creditor. Contact resumes unless other prohibition 15 U.S.C. 1692g(b).
FDCPA enforced by FTB and CFPB & by civil lawsuits. Damages of up to $1,000 plus reasonable attorney fee. 15 U.S.C. 1692k(a)(2).
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