Forgery

Forgery is the creation of false objects, documents, or statistics with the intent to deceive. Forged documents are often used to commit crimes such as fraud and larceny. The legal penalties for forgery can depend greatly on the other charges you are facing.

Examples of Forgery

Crimes such as fraud can require the creation of falsified contracts or paperwork in order to gain access to information or resources. Forgery can be used to perpetrate identity theft: by pretending to be another person, identity thieves can take out lines of credit in that person’s name. Forgery is commonly used in theft, for example by forging the signature on a check.

Counterfeiting, the creation of fake money, can be considered a kind of forgery. Counterfeiting is often punished separately from other types of forgery, however, because the creation of fake money is automatically a type of fraud. False documents, in contrast, are not necessarily fraudulent on their own. When false documents are used to commit fraud, or with the intent to commit fraud, the person responsible can be convicted of forgery.

Charges of forgery should be taken very seriously. If you are convicted, forgery is a Class 3 Felony. A felony conviction deprives you of your right to vote. People who have been convicted of felonies may find it very difficult to find a good job, and may face increased difficulty qualifying for loans or housing.

Fortunately, there is hope. With good legal representation, it may be possible to reduce or eliminate your charges. If you or a member of your family has been charged with forgery, an experienced Champaign forgery defense attorney can help.

Contact Us

The experienced Champaign fraud defense lawyers of Bruno Law Offices can help you defend your rights in court. To learn more, contact us today at (217) 328-6000.