Lexington Forgery Lawyer

A person commits forgery when they knowingly and intentionally sign another person’s name to a legal document, fake their handwriting, or deliberately falsify a document related to money or property. This offense usually involves documents with legal significance, such as checks, promissory notes, deeds, stocks and bonds, wills, or legal contracts.

In addition, the accused must have intended to commit the fraud by presenting the altered document as valid and correct. If the specific intent is lacking, the person may not have committed fraud.

If the state charged you with committing the crime of forgery, you may be facing serious penalties – including jail time. Therefore, you may need the help of a knowledgeable Lexington forgery lawyer who can assist you during court proceedings and help you work towards the best possible outcome based on the facts of your case. Call a seasoned attorney today to get started on your case.

Types of Forgery

Many different actions can constitute forgery. Some common examples of forgery that may result in criminal charges include:

• Signing another person’s name on a check and presenting the check to a bank teller
• Adding fake pages to a will
• Signing another person’s name to a deed
• Creating a fake deed or land sale contract
• Changing financial contracts or documents
• Using someone else’s credit card without their permission and signing that person’s name on the credit card receipt

Felonies and Misdemeanors in Lexington County

In Lexington County, crimes are classified as felonies and misdemeanors. The more serious of these – felonies – may result in long periods of incarceration and hefty fines. Depending upon the amount of money at issue, a forgery offense can also be a felony or misdemeanor.

A felony forgery may result in 10 years of incarceration, as well as a fine that the sentencing judge determines. Whereas a misdemeanor forgery may result in three years of jail time, plus a monetary fine, or both. To avoid possible incarceration, it may be in the defendant’s best interest to contact an accomplished attorney.

Lack of Specific Intent

Forgery is a specific intent crime, as opposed to a general intent crime. This means the prosecution must be able to prove the accused had the specific intent to commit the forgery.

If the individual believes the legal or financial document at issue was actually valid, they probably lack the specific intent necessary to commit a forgery. In that instance, they may be able to prove they did not actually commit forgery. A Lexington forgery lawyer may be able to help someone formulate an excellent legal defense to their forgery charge.

Contact a Lexington Forgery Attorney

There is no doubt that allegations of forgery can land you in serious trouble. These offenses may stay on your criminal record which is available to everyone for viewing. A criminal record can threaten your ability to get a job or secure housing.

By working with an experienced Lexington forgery lawyer, you maximize your chances of obtaining a favorable outcome. If your case goes to trial, an attorney can aggressively advocate on your behalf. Call today to set up a free consultation to learn how an attorney can help you.