CONVICTION FOR INSURANCE FRAUD AFFIRMED
Post 4984
UNSUCCESSFUL FAKE ACCIDENT STILL GOES TO JAIL
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THE PEOPLE v. STEPHEN R. JACKSON, H052419, California Court of Appeals, Sixth District (January 23, 2025) Jackson tried to have his felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor because of Proposition 47.
FACTUAL BACKGROUND
In 1992, Jackson was charged by information with conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, causing or participating in a vehicular collision or any other vehicular accident for the purpose of presenting a false or fraudulent claim; presenting or causing to be presented a false or fraudulent insurance claim; presenting a false or fraudulent claim for loss or theft, destruction, damage, or conversion of the contents of a motor vehicle; and, preparing a false police report and authorization of medical records/employment records with intent to present it in support of a false or fraudulent claim. Jackson was convicted by plea of count 2, violation of Insurance Code section 1871.1, subdivision (a)(3), a felony, and placed on felony probation.
In 2024, Jackson filed an application to have his felony conviction designated as a misdemeanor
Proposition 47, approved in November 2014, makes certain drug-and theft-related offenses misdemeanors. Nothing in the relevant statute bases the punishment for the crime of participating in a vehicular collision for the purpose of presenting a false claim on the value of the property or claim at issue.
In addition to alleging that the value of the claim at issue in his conviction should make him eligible for relief under section 1170.18, subdivision (f), Jackson argued that he “was never given a check,” “never saw the check”, and that he “didn’t destroy any property or damage any property.”
ANALYSIS
Stephen R. Jackson’s appeal was based on his conviction for causing or participating in a vehicular collision to present a false or fraudulent claim. He argued that under Proposition 47, which reduces certain property theft crimes to misdemeanors when the value is $950 or less, his offense should also be reclassified since the value of the checks was under $950.
Key Points
1. Both before and after Proposition 47, Jackson’s offense was classified as a felony under Insurance Code section 1871.1 and current Penal Code section 550.
2. The legislature intended to treat causing or participating in a vehicular collision for the purpose of presenting a false claim as a felony, regardless of the value of the claim.
3. The punishment for Jackson’s crime does not depend on the claim’s value, unlike other offenses under Insurance Code section 1871.1 and section 550, which are misdemeanors if the claim is below certain amounts.
Conclusion
The trial court properly denied Jackson’s section 1170.18, subdivision (f) petition to redesignate his felony conviction for causing or participating in a vehicular collision or any other vehicular accident for the purpose of presenting a false or fraudulent claim as a misdemeanor.
ZALMA OPINION
The people of California did away with most of Proposition 47 but it was in effect when Jackson was convicted. However, since his crime, auto insurance fraud, is always a felony even if he was so incompetent he made nothing from his crime, he was properly convicted and the court refused to change his felony to a misdemeanor. There is no excuse for committing insurance fraud and even if the fraud failed to make any money for Jackson he committed the crime. Jackson was probably caught, tried and convicted because he was an incompetent criminal and must now continue to live with the shame of a felony conviction.
(c) 2025 Barry Zalma & ClaimSchool, Inc.
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Interpleader Protects All Claimants Against Life Policy and the Insurer
Who’s on First to Get Life Insurance Proceeds
Post 5184
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Interpleader Protects All Claimants Against Life Policy and the Insurer
In Metropolitan Life Insurance Company v. Selena Sanchez, et al, No. 2:24-cv-03278-TLN-CSK, United States District Court, E.D. California (September 3, 2025) the USDC applied interpleader law.
Case Overview
This case involves an interpleader action brought by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (Plaintiff-in-Interpleader) against Selena Sanchez and other defendants (Defendants-in-Interpleader).
Key Points
Plaintiff-in-Interpleader’s Application:
The Plaintiff-in-Interpleader...
A Claim by Any Other Name is not a Claim
Post 5182
It is Imperative that Insured Report Potential Claim to Insurers
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In Jeffrey B. Scott v. Certain Underwriters At Lloyd’s, London, Subscribing To Policy No. B0901li1837279, RLI Insurance Company, Certain Underwriters At Lloyds, London And The Insurance Company, Subscribing To Policy No. B0180fn2102430, No. 24-12441, United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit (August 25, 2025) the court explained the need for a claim to obtain coverage.
Case Background:
This appeal arises from a coverage dispute under a Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance policy. Jeffrey B. Scott, the plaintiff-appellant, was terminated from his role as CEO, President, and Secretary of Gemini Financial Holdings, LLC in October 2019. Following his termination, Scott threatened legal action against Gemini, and ...
A Claim by Any Other Name is not a Claim
Post 5182
It is Imperative that Insured Report Potential Claim to Insurers
Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/gfbwAsxw, See the full video at https://lnkd.in/gea_hgB3 and at https://lnkd.in/ghZ7gjxy, and at https://zalma.com/blog plus more than 5150 posts.
In Jeffrey B. Scott v. Certain Underwriters At Lloyd’s, London, Subscribing To Policy No. B0901li1837279, RLI Insurance Company, Certain Underwriters At Lloyds, London And The Insurance Company, Subscribing To Policy No. B0180fn2102430, No. 24-12441, United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit (August 25, 2025) the court explained the need for a claim to obtain coverage.
Case Background:
This appeal arises from a coverage dispute under a Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance policy. Jeffrey B. Scott, the plaintiff-appellant, was terminated from his role as CEO, President, and Secretary of Gemini Financial Holdings, LLC in October 2019. Following his termination, Scott threatened legal action against Gemini, and ...
Barry Zalma: Insurance Claims Expert Witness
Posted on September 3, 2025 by Barry Zalma
The Need for a Claims Handling Expert to Defend or Prove a Tort of Bad Faith Suit
© 2025 Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE
When I finished my three year enlistment in the US Army as a Special Agent of US Army Intelligence in 1967, I sought employment where I could use the investigative skills I learned in the Army. After some searching I was hired as a claims trainee by the Fireman’s Fund American Insurance Company. For five years, while attending law school at night while working full time as an insurance adjuster I became familiar with every aspect of the commercial insurance industry.
On January 2, 1972 I was admitted to the California Bar. I practiced law, specializing in insurance claims, insurance coverage and defense of claims against people insured and defense of insurance companies sued for breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. After 45 years as an active lawyer, I asked that my license to practice law be declared inactive ...
The Need for a Claims Handling Expert to Defend or Prove a Tort of Bad Faith Suit
© 2025 Barry Zalma, Esq., CFE
When I finished my three year enlistment in the US Army as a Special Agent of US Army Intelligence in 1967, I sought employment where I could use the investigative skills I learned in the Army. After some searching I was hired as a claims trainee by the Fireman’s Fund American Insurance Company. For five years, while attending law school at night while working full time as an insurance adjuster I became familiar with every aspect of the commercial insurance industry.
On January 2, 1972 I was admitted to the California Bar. I practiced law, specializing in insurance claims, insurance coverage and defense of claims against people insured and defense of insurance companies sued for breach of contract and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. After 45 years as an active lawyer, I asked that my license to practice law be declared inactive and became a consultant and expert witness for lawyers representing insurers and lawyers ...
APPRAISAL AWARD SETS AMOUNT OF DAMAGES RECOVERED FROM INSURER
Post 5180
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It’s a Waste of Time to Sue Your Insurer if You Don’t Have Evidence
Evidence Required to Prove Breach of Contract
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It’s a Waste of Time to Sue Your Insurer if You Don’t Have Evidence
In Debbie Beaty and Jonathan Hayes v. Homeowners Of America Insurance Company, No. 01-23-00844-CV, Court of Appeals of Texas, First District (August 26, 2025) Debbie Beaty and Jonathan Hayes filed a claim under their homeowner’s insurance policy with Homeowners of ...
