welfare fraud

[Leota]

I recieve cash assistance (welfare).I have 2 babies (20 months and 2 months) that I take care of full time. I recieved about 5 child support checks in the mail,not all at once,but over so many months.Very small checks,most under $100.I never applied for child support or went after it,they just came in the mail.I thought they were mine,and that my case worker and welfare department knew I was gettng them. I forgot to report them on my monthly report,I didn't think I had to anyway.Then at a meeting with my case worker, she asked if I've recieved any other form of income.I told her no,just the cash aid and the child support checks.She then told me I should have reported that on my monthly report,but to bring in the pay stubs.So that same day I turned in copies of the pay stubs and got a reciept.She never did say that I wasn't suppose to get the checks, just that I should have reorted it.I recived like 2 more checks after that meeting (still thinking they were mine) and turned in copies of the paystubs,but I don't have reciepts for those.
Anyway,I didn't find out that those checks should have been turned in until someone from the child suppport office called and told me.But I didn't know it was my fault.Then an investigator shows up at my door and wants to know why I didn't report this,I told him I did.And 4 months later a sheriff knocks on my door,ready to take me to jail for a warrant that I had no idea I had.He gave me a "break" and told me to take care of it at the court house.I went and found out I have a felony charge for this.I told the judge I want an appointed attorney,since I can't afford a lawyer.I need advice on how I should handle this and could I go to prison?

 

[HomeGuru]

1. How much mnoney are we talking about here?
2. I refuse to believe that you did not know you were in trouble with the law.

 

[Leota]

Like I said,the checks were small.About $1000 all together. All I knew prior to the sheriff knocking on my door about this warrant that I had no idea about,was the investigator that wanted to know why I didn't report the money.But, I did report it to my case worker,and I have proof of that.Why would it be hard to belive that I didn't know I was in trouble with the law?I wasn't the one who sent checks in the mail that weren't suppose to be sent.I was honest in telling my worker about the money,I turned in paystubs like I was suppose to.
I have no prior record.I didn't purposly break the law.I would never put myself in this situation for any amount of money.I would never put my kids or my future at jepordy.I have plans,I don't want to be on welfare.I'm going to start college to be a kindergarden teacher.Why would I throw everything away for a measly $1000 bucks,or any amount of money?I have no problem doing what I have to to pay it back.But having a felony charge on my record,giving me a huge fine,putting me on probation,or sending me to prison would be totally unfair.