Being accused of forgery can be devastating to your personal and professional life. A forgery conviction has serious ramifications, including jail time and a criminal record, which can make keeping or finding employment difficult.
If you or a loved one is facing forgery charges, you may benefit from speaking with a Fairfax forgery lawyer. A dedicated fraud attorney could review your case and build a personalized defense to protect you and your loved one’s future.
Forgery is the creation or the making of a signature or an item and passing it off as authentic when it is not. A person is trying to deceive someone into thinking that the document is the original version for personal gain. When someone forges money, it is illegal tender and a felony conviction. The other type of forgery involves a record or a signature on a will or legal document. It is a serious offense with potentially two to ten years in prison.
The most common examples of fraud charges that involve forgery are someone using or making fake money, signing their name on a document when they do not have the authority to do so, or signing their name for other people. In some cases, a person signs their name on a check, making a forgery case a bad check case as well. Another example involves an employee signing their employer’s name on some payment, such as their monthly payment or a bonus.
There are many cases where people are charged with forging illegal items that should be notarized by a notary public. If someone notarizes something and they are not a notary, it is a very serious crime that falls under forgery. An example is when someone must submit something to the court, such as a marriage license that they need to have notarized, and they fake the notary’s signature.
The evidence needed in a forgery case depends on the type of forgery case. Most cases require proof of an intent to deceive. A Fairfax lawyer could build a defense to weaken the argument that the defendant committed forgery.
The potential consequences of forgery are severe, involving long periods of incarceration. Someone forging money could face one to ten years of incarceration. If someone forges a public document, the penalty is two to ten years. A Class 5 felony involves money, and a Class 4 felony involves the forging of public documents such as a will or a deed.
If you or a loved one has been accused of committing forgery, you should not hesitate to contact a qualified criminal defense attorney. As a forgery conviction could result in long periods of incarceration, an attorney experienced with fraud could be a vital asset in protecting your freedom.
A Fairfax forgery lawyer could build a strong defense that is personalized for your unique case and potentially negotiate with the prosecution for a lesser charge. Scheduling a consultation could be the first step in protecting your future. Call now.