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The act of forgery is when someone falsely makes or alters a document with the intent to defraud another party. A person may find themselves facing forgery charges after a misunderstanding, miscommunication, or an honest mistake, such as misinterpreting instructions or submitting a document that was unknowingly altered. These circumstances can lead to serious legal consequences. If you are being investigated or have been charged with forgery, a Denver forgery lawyer could help you understand your rights and build a strong defense.
Under Colorado Revised Statutes § 18-5-102, forgery is established as the act of falsely making or altering a written instrument with the intent to defraud. To put that in plain language, forgery involves creating or changing a document to trick someone for unfair benefit to the forger. Examples of forgery include:
In Colorado, there are various degrees of forgery, with first-degree forgery classified as a felony. It may mean up to three years in prison and fees of up to $100,000. Even second-degree forgery, which is classified as a misdemeanor, carries the potential for up to 18 months in jail and $5,000 in fines. A forgery attorney in Denver could help you better understand what penalties you are facing and how to fight them.
A forgery charge is a serious offense that can have far-reaching consequences. A conviction may jeopardize a defendant’s job status, professional licenses, and immigration status. It could also impact future background checks, which could lead to negative outcomes for career and housing options.
In addition to legal consequences, a conviction for forgery carries a social stigma. Many professional and academic organizations consider forgery among their ethics violations, and this can follow someone long after they have paid their fines and served their time.
If you are facing forgery charges, you should take the situation seriously and seek the help of a Denver forgery attorney as soon as possible. The sooner a lawyer gets involved in the process, the better protected your legal rights will be.
Intent is a key aspect in the definition of forgery, and many defense strategies for a forgery charge involve demonstrating a lack of intent. If a person who committed the forgery did not understand the law or was unknowingly in possession of a forged document, a lack of intent may be argued.
Even if intent is present, a forgery lawyer in Denver could help build a strong defense. Other defense strategies may include demonstrating that the defendant was acting under pressure or coercion from someone else. An attorney could thoroughly consider the evidence and look for challenges to its validity or missteps in legal procedure that may have violated the defendant’s rights.
A skilled lawyer may also be able to negotiate for a dismissal or deferred judgment—especially likely outcomes for first-time offenders. For those who pay restitution and have no prior record, an attorney may be able to negotiate a pre-trial resolution, avoid a felony charge, and secure a result without jail time.
If you are facing forgery charges, you should contact a Denver forgery lawyer right away. These serious charges could cause stress in your professional and personal life, and an experienced attorney could help you navigate your options with clarity. Call now to get started.