Forgery, under Colorado law (C.R.S. 18-5-102), is a crime with complex elements which requires the skills of an attorney to help you navigate common pitfalls authored by the government. While sometimes a person doesn’t have the intention to steal or obtain money through fraudulent means, a Forgery crime may take place through signing a check, a payment sheet, or any other instrument that is used to receive money. Essentially, if someone signs most any document in an attempt to defraud someone, that person can be charged with this crime which is a close cousin to Fraud.
Forgery is not just monetary. A person could sign a Will, a mortgage agreement, or any document that affects a legal right and they would probably be charged with this crime. When someone is affected by this crime, they contact the police in Aurora, Lakewood, Jefferson and Denver Countyand allege what happened. The police will investigate and see what evidence they can discover which may implicate you in the crime. Most of the time, they will also try to call you and get you to confess to the crime prior to charging you. It is essential for your defense that you not speak to the police about anything regarding an alleged crime, even when you have nothing to hide.
In Douglas, Arapahoe, and Larimer County, Forgery is a class 5 felony and has a maximum punishment of 3 years in prison and up to a $100,000.00 fine. Anyone charged will not necessarily be looking at a sentence of 3 years in the Department of Corrections in Colorado. Instead, if you went to trial and lost, a judge could sentence you to prison up to that amount. The highest punishment is usually reserved for people with many prior offenses.
People charged with Forgery can be facing these allegations even when they are completely innocent. For instance, if you have a power of attorney in Denver, Jefferson, and Adams County, and that power of attorney gives you the right to sign for someone else on legal documents, then you should not be charged. Another example with a defense would be employer employee relationship.
When you are charged or arrested by police, you need an attorney in Adams County, Weld County and the Denver Metro area to help identify useful defenses and strategy. It is a complex crime that needs the attention of a lawyer. So, if you or a loved one have been charged with Forgery, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the attorneys at O’Malley Law Office at 303-731-0719. Together, we can protect your future.