Forgery offenses are frequently charged as felonies, so there are many consequences that involve fines, prison, or jail. While we may think of forgery as someone signing the name of another person on a document or altering a document, it can also involve using a forged official seal, forging writings, or even creating a fake membership card.
Minnesota law considers many acts to be classified as forgeries, such as using a forged document or placing a misleading label upon a product. A person could even be charged with forgery if they destroyed or mutilated a document or presented a forged document as authentic. The exact punishment for the crime is going to depend on what exactly has been forged, who the victim is, the reason for the forgery, and, in the case of checks or other financial vehicles, the value of the item sought through the forgery. If the act involves forged checks, the values of the checks may be added together if they were written within a certain time period so that the accumulated value will result in a harsher charge. To avoid the harsher charge, you need a Minnesota forgery attorney to help you reveal the facts in the case.
Common Types Of Forgery
- Typical forgery in the way of using false writing for the purpose of recommendation or identification with the intent to defraud or injure, as well as destroy or alter records or documents.
- Aggravated forgery, which is committed when the forged writing carries a great deal of authority, such as a corporation’s official seal, a court order, a public record, a judgment, or the record is of a bank or involves state funds.
- Check forgery is the most common type. It involves making a fake check or altering a check so it looks as if it was made by another individual. When a person is sentenced in a check forgery case, the penalty depends on the property value or the services that were acquired or attempted to be acquired with the forged checks. The amount of the forged checks also has weight.
- Counterfeit currency is another type of forgery.
- Fraudulent driver’s licenses and identification is considered forgery and is considered a gross misdemeanor, but repeat offenses can result in a felony.
Check Forgery Sentencing Guidelines
A person who is convicted of check forgery will be sentenced based on a number of factors, including the value of the check(s). For instance, an amount greater than $35,000 will result in a $100,000 fine and/or 20 years in prison. $2,500 to $25,000 results in 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine. An amount of $250 to $2,500 constitutes 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Less than $250 with a prior theft or forgery constitutes 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. Less than $250 constitutes 1 year in jail or prison and/or a $3,000 fine. To avoid these charges completely or have the charges reduced, you need a Minneapolis forgery lawyer to help you in your defense.
Contact A Minnesota Forgery Attorney
If you have been accused of forgery, you need an experienced attorney who can present a persuasive argument as to why you should not be found guilty. Mark Herman, Attorney at Law is that attorney, successfully handling forgery cases and keeping clients out of prison. To find out more about the help that can be provided to you, call 24/7 at 612-382-4545 for a free consultation.
