Dallas Forgery Defense Attorney
What is Forgery?
Texas Penal Code § 32.21 defines forgery as altering, making, completing, executing, or authenticating any writing (including written documents) in order to fraudulently achieve some purpose. In many cases, this purpose is to obtain goods, services, or money, which means that forgery can be classified as a type of fraud.
Common Examples of Forgery
There are a number of ways in which forgery can be executed The most essential legal element, however, is that forgery is committed with the intent to defraud or harm another. Victims can be individuals or even an institution such as a bank.
Some examples of acts that can be classified as forgery include:
- Altering a document using someone else's name to pass it off as an original
- Signing checks with another person's name
- Creating a fake legal document such as a real estate deed
- Altering the dollar amount on a check without permission
- Using a forged document to access someone else's money or transfer property
Forgery Penalties in Texas
Forgery offenses can be charged as a misdemeanor or felony in Texas depending on the item used and the victim.
- Misdemeanor forgery: Forgeries that are not a felony can be charged as a Class A misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $4,000, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
- State jail felony: When forgery involves certain documents such as a will, deed, mortgage, credit card, check, or contract, the penalties can include up to 2 years of jail time and fines up to $10,000, or both.
- Third-degree felony: Third-degree felony charges may also arise when forgery involves money, securities, postage, government records, or instruments of government agencies. Third-degree felonies pose a maximum prison sentence of 10 years. In some cases, forgery may also be prosecuted as a federal offense.
Work Side-by-Side with a Dallas White Collar Crimes Lawyer
Securing legal representation when you face investigations and/or charges for forgery is essential to protecting your rights and future. With decades of criminal defense experience, our legal team has the skills and insight to effectively defend our clients in both local and federal courts. Although the facts of your case will influence defense strategies, we know that genuine mistakes and lack of intent to commit forgery can lead these charges.
Whatever the circumstance may be, you can be confident that our Dallas criminal defense attorneys will leave nothing behind when investigating your case, collecting evidence in your favor, and crafting a white collar crimes defense plan that can have your charges dismissed or reduced as much as possible.
Contact the Mathur Law Offices, P.C., to discuss your case during an initial consultation.