Charged with Forgery in NYC?

Our New York City Criminal Attorneys Can Help!

A person commits forgery when they alter or create an instrument or document with the intent to deceive someone else. Often, forgery goes hand in hand with fraud, since the forgery is usually intended to acquire someone else's property. Forged documents can include checks, insurance document, passports, ids, or police reports that allow a person to have false authority and get access to things that would otherwise be prohibited.

The most commonly forged documents are checks, especially with the rise of electronic checks that are easier to falsify. If you have been charged with forgery, then you could be facing penalties like jail time and fines. Hiring a NYC white collar criminal lawyer is the only way to ensure that your rights are properly defended against serious consequences.

Understanding Your Charges

There are varying degrees of severity regarding forgery charges in New York State as stated in the New York Penal Code, Article 170:

• Forgery in the third degree – can be charged if you intend to defraud, deceive or injure another person by making, completing or altering a written instrument. This is a class A misdemeanor which could result in up to a year of imprisonment.
• Forgery in the second degree – can be charged if you commit the above in relationship to a deed, will, contract, public record, prescription or other similar document. This is a class D felony which could result in up to seven years imprisonment.
• Forgery in the first degree – can be charged if you commit the above in relationship to money, stamps, security or other government issued item, stocks, bonds or other similar document/item. This is a class C felony which could result in up to 15 years imprisonment.
• Criminal possession of forgery devices – can be charged if you make any device specifically designed for counterfeiting or forging objects/documents/items, etc. This is a class D felony which could result in up to seven years imprisonment.
• Criminal possession of a forged instrument – can be charged if you possess any forged instrument with the knowledge that it is forged and the intent to defraud, deceive or injure another person. This is a class C felony and could result in up to 15 years imprisonment.

Get in Touch with a Forgery Lawyer Today

It is very important that you retain a lawyer who has trial experience if you have been charged with a white collar crime. The NYC criminal defense attorneys at the Law Offices of Daniel A. Hochheiser have almost 50 years of combined legal experience. Our firm can draw upon these years of practical knowledge related to criminal cases in order to better prepare your defense. When you contact our legal team, we discuss your case in detail and give you the individualized attention so that we can figure out a solution to your case. Don't hesitate to make sure your future is safeguarded, call now for your free case evaluation! We represent clients from communities in Scarsdale, Manhattan, Bronx, Manchester, and surrounding areas.