McKinney Forgery Defense Attorneys
Lawyers for Charges Involving Counterfeiting or Forgery of Documents in McKinney, TX
Many white collar crimes involve some form of deception. Fraud charges will often be based on claims that a person lied to someone else or provided false information in order to obtain money or property. Forgery charges may be similar, although they involve specific types of deception related to falsifying documents, signatures, or other forms of writing. A person could face forgery charges and other white collar crime charges in a variety of situations, and people who have been accused of these offenses will need to understand how to respond.
The lawyers at Texas Defense Firm can provide legal help to people who are facing forgery charges and other related offenses. We understand the complex legal issues, documents, and other factors that can affect these cases. We work to ensure that our clients will be able to take the right steps to challenge claims made by prosecutors, demonstrate that they did not commit forgery, and defend against misdemeanor or felony convictions.
What Is Forgery?
The offense of forgery generally involves creating falsified "writings" or altering documents or signatures. These actions may be taken to make it appear as if someone authorized a transaction or for other purposes related to fraud. Attempts to pass off a forged document or signature as authentic can lead to criminal charges if these actions are done with fraudulent intent.
The "writings" that may be addressed in forgery cases may include a wide variety of written documents or other materials. They may include checks, contracts, wills, or deeds, as well as money or other "symbols of value." Forgery may involve identification documents, credit cards, or even price tags or UPC codes on products.
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Situations That Can Lead to Forgery Charges
Some of the most common forgery offenses involve accusations that a person signed another person's name on a check without authorization. Accusations may also involve changing the dollar amount on a check or money order, altering a will or deed, or creating counterfeit money. People may be accused of creating fraudulent prescription forms, and in these cases, they could face drug charges as well as forgery charges.
Because the laws address both creating forged writings and knowingly using them, a person who did not directly create a forgery could still face criminal charges. For example, a person who allegedly received a forged check or document and passed it along when they knew that it was fraudulent may be charged with forgery.
How Forgery Relates to Other White Collar Crimes
Forgery is often related to fraud charges, and prosecutors may charge defendants with multiple offenses related to a specific act or course of conduct. For example, if a person allegedly used a forged check to make a purchase, they could be charged with forgery for creating the document and fraud for using the false document to obtain goods or services. A forged mortgage document or loan application could support both a forgery charge and mortgage fraud charges. When multiple charges apply, the penalties a person may face may be higher.
Penalties for Forgery
In many cases, forgery is charged as a state jail felony, and the penalties for a conviction may include a sentence lasting for between 180 days and two years. If a person is accused of forgery involving a will, deed, mortgage document, check, credit card, money order, or contract, they may face third-degree felony charges, and a conviction could lead to a sentence lasting from two to 10 years. Forgery involving money, postage stamps, or government records may lead to second-degree felony charges, with penalties that may range from two to 20 years.
In cases where forgery was allegedly committed for financial gain, the value of the property or services that were allegedly obtained may determine the specific charges. For example, using a forged check to make a purchase of $1,000 may result in state jail felony charges, but falsifying a contract in order to obtain $50,000 may result in second-degree felony charges.
Defense Strategies for People Charged With Forgery
To convict a person of forgery, a prosecutor will need to prove that they intended to defraud someone or cause harm in another way. Our attorneys may challenge these claims and show that there was no fraudulent intent behind a person's actions. We may take steps to demonstrate that a document was altered by mistake, that a person believed that they had the authority to sign a document, or that a person was unaware that a document they handled had been falsified by someone else.
Handwriting analysis and methods used to examine documents can play a significant role in disputing whether a person was responsible for creating or altering a document. We can work with experts to ensure that evidence is evaluated correctly. We may also take steps to challenge the nature of different types of documents, which may help to reduce charges by showing that a document that had allegedly been forged does not qualify as one of the writings addressed in the law.
Contact Our McKinney, TX Forgery Defense Lawyers
The lawyers at Texas Defense Firm will closely examine the specific writings involved in forgery cases, helping clients understand the specific charges they may face, the penalties that may apply if they are convicted, and the ways the accusations made by prosecutors may be challenged. We can take steps to show that there was no intent to defraud someone or cause harm, and we may argue for charges to be reduced or dismissed depending on the facts of the case.
Our team can build a comprehensive defense that addresses charges of forgery, fraud, or other related white collar crimes. We will work to resolve these matters successfully while helping our clients avoid penalties that may affect their lives and careers. Contact our McKinney forgery attorneys at 972-369-0577 to schedule a free consultation.
