You may spend years behind bars if you have been accused of forgery. Anyone facing these or other fraud-related allegations frequently is unsure about how to proceed. Call Chambers Law Firm at 714-760-4088 if you are facing these allegations and need assistance from a criminal defense lawyer who will fight for your rights. Read on to learn more about this accusation in the interim.
Possible Repercussions of a Forgery Conviction
You may be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony depending on the nature of the crime. You might have to pay hefty fines and serve up to three years in state jail if the prosecution decides to charge it as a felony. In the future, it may be challenging to get housing, employment, or a professional license due to this conviction.
Forgery Comes in a Variety of Forms
Many individuals have preconceived notions about what a forgery offense entails, but the reality may be quite different. The first thing to understand is that forgery success is not a must. It’s also true that as long as you didn’t intend to mislead someone with the copy, you can replicate a lot of things without breaching the law.
Forgery can take many different forms, such as signing someone else’s name without their consent, impersonating someone else’s handwriting, changing or otherwise falsifying any legal document (such as a Will or Deed), and any type of falsification or alteration of a document that relates to money, property, or finances.
The many types of papers that may be used in cases of this nature are covered in great depth in the California Penal Code. They list roughly 40 in total, including checks, money orders, contracts, lottery tickets, real estate deeds, wills, and prescriptions.
Two Primary Strategies Exist for Fighting a Forgery Charge
There are often two alternatives for defense. To begin with, we can demonstrate that you did not in fact forge the paper. To do this, we might assemble additional witnesses or hire handwriting specialists. The alternative is to demonstrate that you carried out the relevant action without intending to cheat anyone.
If neither of those defense strategies fits your situation, your best course of action might be to work out the best plea agreement with the prosecution. We have years of experience and know how to come up with unique sentencing options at Chambers Law Firm. Call our offices at 714-760-4088 right away to learn how we can assist you.
