Denver Forgery Lawyer – A Broadly Defined Crime of Fakes
Faking it takes on new meaning the Colorado’s Forgery statute, located at C.R.S. 18-5-102. In Denver, Forgery involves pretending to be someone else or making something which is not really real. The broad reach of this statute is scary. Felony and Misdemeanor crime is usually either first degree or second degree forgery. First degree will be serious as a class 5 felony. Second degree can only be punished up to 18 months in the Denver County Jail because it is a class 1 misdemeanor. The difference between first and second degree forgery is whether the pretend or counterfeit document is labeled as an official document.
Jefferson County Forgery Lawyer and Money Documents
Imagine making changes to a contract or a promise to pay money. In Jefferson County, Colorado, Forgery covers crimes like making or altering a document, if the document involves money, stamps, securities or other valuable instruments issued by the government. See the Colroado Definition of Forgery.
Adams County Forgery – Stocks and Bonds
Forgery involves making changes to stocks, bonds, or other proof of ownership of a business enterprise. Included in this would be making fake stocks and bonds or changing real ones to increase the value of an interest in stocks or bonds in Adams County, Colorado.
Forgery of a Will or Trust in Douglas County, Colorado
How about a Will? If you are accused of changing a Will or the signature on a Will in Douglas County, Colorado, you can be charged with Forgery. This includes documents closely associated with a Will, like a Trust document. The idea is that trying to alter the interest which a deceased or incapacitated person has written down is a crime. Imagine someone creating a fake Will after someone has died, leaving them a large financial profit – that is Forgery in Colorado.
Government Filed Items like a Warranty Deed in Arapahoe County Can be Forged
Finally, anything which is going to be filed with a government – such as the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder, will be charged as Forgery if you change it or are trying to take advantage of someone. The forgery charge statute is designed to protect persons from others tricking them out of their valuable property, like deeds to a house. Since our government keeps records of real property ownership, like land and buildings, this system must be protected against fraud so people will have confidence in it. To this extent, fraud of government recored records is treated more seriously than other forms of forgery in Aurora and Centennial, Colorado.
Traffic Ticket Fraud and Forgery in Jefferson County – Signing Another’s Name to a Police Ticket
We have also seen many cases where a person signs a traffic ticket with the name of another person, because their own license is suspended or revoked. This is charged as a Forgery felony once the police learn of the ruse.
Denver Use of Forged Academic Record, C.R.S. 18-5-104.5
Changing or faking an academic record is likely covered by the Forgery charges above. Yet, in order to be more specific on this crime as it relates to finding employment or getting into a college, Colorado legislators have made using a forged academic record a separate crime. This includes changing your grades, courses taken or attendance at an educational institution, like a college or high school. Generally, this is done by creating or modifying a school transcript, grade card or diploma. Anything related to this conduct can result with charges of Use of Forged Academic Record in Colorado, which is a class one misdemeanor.
If you or a friend expect you might be charged with forgery, the allegations should be taken seriously. A felony can affect you for the rest of your life. We have spent many years defending people accused of felony and misdemeanor forgery charges, and we can help you. So, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and call us today at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.
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