South Carolina Forgery Lawyer

Forgery often arises in the context of checks, promissory notes, wills, deeds, stocks, bonds, and other legal or financial documents. Forgery is a very serious crime and may result in hefty fines, jail time, and a felony conviction.

If you are currently facing forgery charges, you may need the help of a knowledgeable attorney. A South Carolina forgery lawyer can meet with you to discuss your version of the facts and help you determine the best way to proceed.

Elements of a Forgery Charge in South Carolina

The state can charge a person with forgery if they:

• Possess the specific intent to defraud someone else
• Make, forge, or counterfeit any legal or financial document to obtain money or property
• Help another person forge or alter a legal or financial document
• Use or attempt to use a forged legal or financial document while knowing that the document is a forgery

The law classifies forgery offenses into misdemeanors and felonies. This classification generally depends upon the amount of money involved in the forgery. Forgeries involving $10,000 or more are felonies, and a judge may be able to sentence the person to up to 10 years of incarceration, expensive fine, or both. A forgery crime that involves less than $10,000 is also a felony but can result in five years’ incarceration, fine, or both.

If there is no monetary value associated with the forgery, the state can charge the alleged offender with a misdemeanor. A judge may then sentence the person to three years of incarceration, a monetary fine, or both. A South Carolina forgery attorney may be able to represent an individual to help them explain their side of the story.

Legal Defenses to these Charges

As with all charges, several legal defenses are available to individuals who are facing allegations of forgery. One of the most common legal defenses is that of mistaken identity.

In raising a mistaken identity defense, the person claims that they were not, in fact, the one who committed the forgery. If the evidence shows this to be true – that someone else may have committed the forgery – they may have a viable defense that could help them secure a positive outcome.

Similarly, the person may be able to allege that the document at issue was not actually forged. Finally, they may claim they held a good faith belief that the subject document was not a forgery. If they can successfully claim this, they may be able to show that they lacked the specific intent that is a key element of proving forgery. It is crucial to seek the services of an accomplished South Carolina lawyer who understands how to build a solid defense to allegations of forgery.

Contacting a South Carolina Forgery Attorney

There is no question that a forgery offense can have serious legal and personal consequences. If the state has charged you with forgery, you should contact a skilled South Carolina forgery lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney may be able to represent you throughout your case and could help you formulate a good legal defense to your charge. Call today to set up a free consultation.