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Schedule Your Free ConsultationForgery Defense Attorney in Philadelphia, PA Countering Fraudulent Document Charges in Philadelphia County, Montgomery County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania
Forgery is a serious crime with substantial penalties. Defending the crime of fraud should be taken seriously. If you have been accused of forgery, hire a skilled Philadelphia forgery attorney to defend you. You will be facing a determined District Attorney who wants to prove your guilt. Let us find proof to defend your innocence. The attorneys at van der Veen, Hartshorn, Levin & Lindheim have substantial experience defending white collar crimes.
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We invite you to reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation with a member of our team. Call (215) 486-0123 or contact us online to learn more.
Elements of the Offense of Forgery
Under Pennsylvania law, forgery is when a person has the intent to defraud or harm another person and performs any of the following:
- Alters the writing of another without that person’s consent
- Executes or transfers any writing while claiming it to be the act of another who did not provide permission to perform the act
- Knowingly offers a forged document as authentic, for payment or trade
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Examples of forgery include:
- Altering a financial document
- Falsifying another person’s signature on a check
- Changing the amount on a check without authorization
- Cashing a forged check at a financial institution
- Utilizing a forged document to acquire or transfer money or property
- Making a false real estate document like a deed
The offender does not need to deceive or defraud another in order to be guilty of forgery. The crime requires only the intent to commit the act.
- AcquittalCriminal Defense
- Not GuiltyCriminal Defense
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- Charges DroppedCriminal Defense
- Pardon GrantedCriminal Defense
- Not GuiltyCriminal Defense
- Not GuiltyCriminal Defense
- Not GuiltyCriminal Defense
Degrees of Forgery
- The crime of forgery is classified as both a misdemeanor and felony, depending on the instrument or kind of document included.
- Felony of the second degree involves any forged items such as postage, money, or security and is punishable by no more than ten years in prison and/or a $25,000 maximum fine.
- When the writing being forged is a will, contract, commercial instrument, or deed it is a felony of the third degree and is subject to a maximum prison term of seven years in prison and/or a fine up to $15,000. A check is an example of a commercial instrument.
- A misdemeanor of the first degree applies to all other types of forgery and faces a punishment of up to five years in prison and/or a maximum fine of $10,000.
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Defenses to Forgery
- The accused did not intend to mislead or injure another.
- The accused did not possess any knowledge that a document was forged.
