Forgery is a theft crime that frequently requires the hiring of a good criminal defense attorney to represent you. Forgery can be found in Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code section 4101. theft crimes In order to be found guilty of this crime, the government must prove that the accused first possessed the intent to defraud another individual (the victim). And that while the defendant possessed this ill intent, he or she either altered, imitated, or forged, the victim’s name. And finally, that this forgery was not authorized by the alleged victim. Contracts, identification cards, licenses, historical papers, and legal certificates are common documents that can be used to deceive another. However, one of the most common acts of forgery include signing another’s name on the back of a check. Other common documents forged are stocks and bonds, money orders, deeds and titles, and counterfeited money.
As stated above, when proving forgery, prosecutors must prove the above explained elements have occurred in order to get a conviction in a criminal defense case. fleeing & eluding police Let’s explore now several possible defenses to this crime. First, that there was a false creation of a document, meaning that an actual forgery took place. Second, criminal defense attorney’s frequently argue that the government cannot prove that it was their client who made the actual forged document or who materially altered the document. Defense attorney’s may also argue that the accused never possessed the criminal intent to defraud the victim. This is frequently done by asserting that the accused was set up by another main actor who actually was trying to defraud the victim. The penalties for forgery will differ depending on the levels and extent of the crime. The differences will either result in a felony of the first and second degrees, or in a lesser degree of a misdemeanor. If charged with forgery it is best to hire a lawyer who can use the following defenses in your case, creating an opportunity to lessen or remove all charges from your name; the lack of intent and the authority to have such documents.
