Forgery is a
white collar crime in Georgia and it entails using a false name or changing a document to
misrepresent the identity of the person responsible for the item such
as a check. The penalty for forgery depends on the degree of the offense.
Forgery crimes are split into two degrees of severity and each degree has different
consequences. Depending on if the offense is charged as a misdemeanor
or felony also affects the punishment for the crime. If you are facing
forgery charges in any degree it is important to obtain the skilled legal
guidance of a Marietta criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible.
The breakdown of the degrees and their punishments looks as such:
-
Second Degree Forgery: generally charged as a felony
- Jail sentence between one and five years
-
First Degree Forgery: charged as a felony
- Jail sentence between one and ten years
Second Degree Forgery offenses would entail making or possessing writings
with a false name or making it so the writing looks to have been done
by another person or at a different time. An example would be possessing
a forged paycheck and being caught by law enforcement before cashing it.
To be charged as First Degree Forgery the writing has to be delivered
or spoken which makes the false writing actually presented rather than
just in writing. An example would be having a forged paycheck and trying
to cash it at the bank with a teller.
Forgery is not tolerated in Georgia and the penalties result in at least
one year in prison. If you are facing forgery charges it is vital to seek
a hard hitting defense that is able to fight for your rights in court.
The Marietta criminal lawyers at Henrickson & Sereebutra, LLC have
over 40 years of combined experience defending clients in their
criminal cases. Do not wait,
call today to schedule your free case evaluation and find out how we may be able
to help you!