Virginia Beach Forgery Defense Lawyer

In Virginia, the white collar crime of forgery is generally the act of creating a false writing or altering a genuine document with the intent to defraud someone (contains false information and then passes it off as true). The key elements of the crime include:

• Creating a false writing: This could involve fabricating a document entirely, like a fake check or contract.
• Altering an existing document: This means changing a genuine document in a way that affects its legal meaning or value, like modifying a grade on a report card.
• Intent to defraud: There must be the purpose to deceive someone and gain something dishonest, such as money or property.

At JRLaw, PLC, our forgery defense attorney is intimately familiar with the various Virginia statutes that prohibit forgery. Because of this, our law firm is fully prepared to handle forgery charges at the local and state level. If have been arrested for alleged forgery, we invite you to discuss your case with us. We might be able to help you prove your innocence or prove that the evidence is too weak to reach a “guilty” verdict!

Contact us for your free consultation with our Virginia Beach forgery defense lawyer.

Virginia Forgery Statutes

The specific law on forgery is found in Virginia Code § 18.2-172. It's important to note that forgery applies to various types of documents, not just official ones.

There are many different types of documents that can be forged and ways that the forgery offenses can be carried out. The state of Virginia has a number of statutes that cover these different offenses.

Some of these include the following:

• Forgery of public records
• Forgery of a seal of the state, a court, a public office, etc.
• Forgery of coins or bank notes
• Alteration, falsification or fraudulent use of diplomas or transcripts
• Forgery of someone else’s signature
• Forgery of other writings
• Possession of instruments that are designed for committing forgery

Forgery Penalties in Virginia

All of these offenses are felonies, which means that individuals who are convicted of these crimes can end up being sentenced to prison terms, and possibly even expensive fines. The penalty for forgery in Virginia depends on the type of document forged.

• Forgery of a public record: Forgery and uttering (using) a forged public document, like a government certificate or legal record, is a Class 4 felony. This carries a penalty of 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.
• Other forgeries: Forgery of any other writing, with the intent to defraud someone, is a Class 5 felony. This is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, or a term in jail of up to twelve months, and a fine of up to $2,500.

Felonies are serious offenses that can greatly damage people’s records. Convicted felons have many more barriers than other individuals when searching for employment, housing and other important life opportunities.

Defense Options for Forgery Charges in VA

In Virginia, if you're facing forgery charges, there are a few potential defenses an attorney can explore. Some possible defense strategies include:

• Lack of Intent: A key element of forgery is the intention to defraud someone. If your lawyer can argue you lacked this intent, the charge might be dropped.
• Mistake or Accident: Perhaps you unknowingly signed a forged document or made an honest mistake while altering something. Demonstrating this could be a defense.
• Consent: If you had permission from the alleged victim to create or alter the document, it wouldn't be considered forgery.
• Not a Forgery: There might be a question about whether the document qualifies as a forgery under Virginia law. Your attorney can analyze the specifics.
• Insufficient Evidence: The prosecution might not have enough solid evidence to prove the forgery or your involvement.

Contact Us for Forgery Defense in Virginia Beach

When you are facing a possible prison term, the last thing you want to do is try to handle your criminal case alone or with an incompetent attorney. At JRLaw, PLC, we have the high-quality legal skills you are looking for. In fact, our lawyer even has more than 15 years of experience as a former police officer and over 15 years of experience in law, which gives him a unique perspective when handling criminal defense cases.

Contact our Virginia Beach law firm so we can help you get started on the right defense strategy! We can be reached at (757) 447-0080 and we accept cases in Virginia Beach and all surrounding areas: Newport News, Hampton, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Portsmouth, and Norfolk.