Are you accused of a Forgery charge in Weld County? You will need an affordable Greeley lawyer who has experience winning Forgery cases. A Forgery charge can happen any time you falsify documents by producing, making, or changing a document. If convicted of a Forgery charge in Greeley, you can face significant jail time and hefty fines. Below, you can find more information on Forgery. If you are facing a Forgery charge in Fort Collins, go here.
#1 What is the Definition of Forgery, C.R.S. 18-5-102, in Greeley, Colorado?
In Greeley, the definition of Forgery, C.R.S. 18-5-102, is:
(a) Part of an issue of money, stamps, securities, or other valuable instruments issued by a government or government agency; or
(b) Part of an issue of stock, bonds, or other instruments representing interests in or claims against a corporate or other organization or its property; or
(c) A deed, will, codicil, contract, assignment, commercial instrument, promissory note, check, or other instrument which does or may evidence, create, transfer, terminate, or otherwise affect a legal right, interest, obligation, or status; or
(d) A public record or an instrument filed or required by law to be filed or legally fileable in or with a public office or public servant; or
(e) A written instrument officially issued or created by a public office, public servant, or government agency; or
(f) Part of an issue of tokens, transfers, certificates, or other articles manufactured and designed for use in transportation fees upon public conveyances, or as symbols of value usable in place of money for the purchase of property or services available to the public for compensation; or
(g) Part of an issue of lottery tickets or shares designed for use in the lottery held pursuant to article 40 of title 44; or
(h) A document-making implement that may be used or is used in the production of a false identification document or in the production of another document-making implement to produce false identification documents.
#2 In Weld County What are Some Examples of Forged Documents?
Many things can be forged documents, yet all of them involve title to or evidence of things of value. Some examples in Weld County can be:
- Using a fake Social Security number to receive benefits
- A Will that has been falsified in the contents or signature
- Falsifying a resume or letters of recommendations
- Using false information on a tax return
- Trying to use fake cash, or fake checks. This can also be referred to as counterfeit money.
It is important to note that in Colorado forgery not only involves creating or using falsified documents, but also includes being in possession of instruments or a device that could be used to produce a Forged document.
#3 Is Forging a Check Different from Possessing a Forged Check in Greeley, Colorado?
Simply put, yes it is. In Greeley, the penalty for Forging a check is different than possessing a Forged check. Forging a check (signing a false signature, changing the amount or date) involves a sentence for a Forgery conviction, which is a class 5 felony, carrying penalties of 1 to 3 years in prison and/or $1,000 to $100,000 in fines. Possessing a Forged check but not actually Forging it, is a class 6 felony with penalties of 12-18 months in prison and $1,000 – $100,000 in fines.
#4 Sentence and Penalties for a Forgery Conviction in Weld County Courts?
In Weld County Courts, the sentence and penalties for a Forgery conviction depends on the type of document that was forged or if you were in possession of instruments or device can produce forged documents.
If the forged document was a legal document, cash, or stocks, the sentence is a class 5 felony that carries penalties of 1 – 3 years in the Colorado Department of Correction, and a fine of $1,000 to $100,000. Most often, other documents that are Forged are sentenced as a class 1 misdemeanor. A class 1 misdemeanor carries penalties of 6 – 18 months in the Weld County Jail, and fine of $500 to $5,000. If you are convicted of being in possession of instruments or devices (tools of the trade) that can produce Forged documents, the sentence is a class 6 felony with penalties of 12-18 months in prison, and fine of $1,000 to $100,000.
Are you facing a Forgery charge in Weld County? Exercise your right to remain silent. Then call our top Forgery defense lawyers at the O’Malley Law Office. Call 970-616-6009 to meet with one of our attorneys here in Greeley and Weld County. We are located near the downtown courthouse. Together, we can protect your future.
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