Lakewood Forgery Defense Lawyer
Lakewood Forgery Defense Attorney
If you find yourself accused of forgery in or around Lakewood, you might worry about the consequences to your reputation, finances, or freedom. With serious potential penalties, hiring a Lakewood forgery defense lawyer can help you challenge the charges against you.
In a forgery case, you need immediate representation. Attorney Christopher J. McCann offers you personalized service and 20 years of experience. When you are facing the prospect of losing everything, you need a forgery defense lawyer who knows the law, isn’t afraid of federal prosecutors, and has handled thousands of criminal cases.
With a background devoted to criminal defense, Mr. McCann is a forgery defense attorney who understands California’s forgery laws and can leverage that knowledge to negotiate with prosecutors to get charges dropped or reduced, or to litigate aggressively for your rights.
Forgery Laws in California
California Penal Code 470 describes forgery as an individual who:
- Knowing they have no authority to do so, signs another person’s or a fictitious person’s name to a check, bank draft, bank note, lottery ticket, trading stamp, power of attorney, traveler’s check, money order, promissory note, or other document
- Counterfeits or forges the seal or handwriting of another
- Alters, corrupts, or falsifies any record of a will, codicil, or document of the court
- Attempts to pass items known to be false, including but not limited to checks, bank notes, lottery tickets, promissory notes, money orders, traveler’s checks, stock certificates, or attorney letters
- Makes, alters, or forges an entry in a book of records
- Alters, falsifies, duplicates, or forges a driver’s license for the purpose of committing forgery
While forgery in smaller amounts can be limited to a fine and up to a year in county jail, in California, forgery is charged as a “wobbler” offense, which means it can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the particular facts of the case and any criminal background of the accused party.
Penalties for Forgery in California
For misdemeanor forgery convictions under $950 in California, the penalties may include:
- Up to $1000 fine
- Up to one year in county jail
- Probation
Criminal convictions in the offender’s background may carry added penalties.
For felony forgery convictions, the penalties are harsher and may include:
- Fines up to $10,000
- 16 months to 36 months in state prison
- Probation
Forgeries of certain documents, such as lottery tickets, may carry added penalties.
If a forgery case involves multiple states or includes a large amount of money, it is a federal crime. Forging items and shipping them through U.S. mail can be charged as a federal crime. Federal forgery crimes can result in fines or up to 20 years in prison, or both.
Hiring a forgery defense lawyer can help you avoid jail time, hefty fines, and additional penalties.
Why Hire a Forgery Defense Lawyer?
A Lakewood forgery defense attorney can gather evidence to rebut the prosecution’s charges. Evidence can take many forms, but chief among them are:
- Disproving intent: Most white-collar crimes require the prosecution to prove intent to defraud. Proving intent is not as easy as providing material evidence.
- Faulty evidence collection methods: At times, law enforcement entities make mistakes, and when they do, it can result in evidence being excluded.
- For interstate crimes, disproving any knowledge of the interstate nature of the crime.
- Interviewing witnesses: Witnesses may be able to prove you were not involved or not cognizant of a crime.
When you hire forgery defense lawyer Christopher J. McCann, you obtain the help of an attorney with a systematic approach who can answer your questions and who doesn’t dodge calls from clients. Mr. McCann opened his firm because he is dedicated to helping people, and his dedication to that guiding principle allows him to serve his clients in Lakewood with compassion and attention to detail.
FAQs About Lakewood, CA Forgery Defense Laws
How To Beat Forgery Charges in California?
Beating forgery charges in California starts with hiring the right lawyer. Hiring a lawyer who has specific experience with white-collar crimes like forgery can mean the difference between beating the charge and losing your reputation, finances, and freedom.
At the Law Offices of Christopher J. McCann, APC, Mr. McCann only takes criminal defense and DUI cases. While every case is unique, there are elements of a forgery case that only experience can prepare you for.
How Difficult Is It to Prove Forgery in California?
It may not be difficult to prove forgery in California, but to be found guilty of forgery, the prosecution must prove that the defendant had the intent to defraud. Intent is one of the hardest requirements of a white-collar crime to prove if you have a strategic fraud defense lawyer.
What Four Elements Does the Prosecution Need to Prove to Secure a Forgery Conviction?
The four elements the prosecution needs to prove to secure a forgery conviction are in California Penal Code 470:
- The defendant signed, altered, or used a document.
- The document was altered or false.
- The defendant intended to defraud.
- The defendant knew it was false or altered.
If the prosecutor cannot prove all four elements, it weakens the case and may potentially lead to a dismissal.
What Should I Do If I Am Under Investigation for Forgery in California?
If you are under investigation for forgery in California, you should not speak to any law enforcement officers until you hire a forgery defense lawyer. The phrase “everything you say can and will be used against you” is true, and since the burden of proof is on the prosecution, it is wise to say nothing.
The Law Offices of Christopher J. McCann, APC
Attorney Christopher J. McCann is dedicated to helping his clients understand their charges and all of the options available to them. With informed decision-making, Mr. McCann is ready to aggressively advocate to protect your rights, whether through negotiations for a lighter sentence or in litigation in the courtroom.
If you are being investigated for or charged with forgery, reach out for a free consultation.
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