Generally, Forgery is the crime of making, copying, or using a using a counterfeit document with the intent to deceive people. In Summit County, Eagle County and Denver County, this crime is classified as either first degree or second degree forgery. First degree is more serious and is a class 5 felony. Second degree is a class 1 misdemeanor. The distinction between first and second degree forgery turn on whether the counterfeit document is classified as an official document. Official documents are things such as money, stocks, wills, deeds, public records, or contracts and falsifying these official documents is the more serious felony offense. However, second degree involves falsification of papers that are not categorized as official documents. In addition to this crime, the law also allows for other related charges to be filed, such as possession of a forged instrument, or obtaining a signature by deception.
The forgery charge statute, C.R.S. 18-5-102, is designed to prohibit persons from tricking others out of their valuable property ownership or title – as a form of stealing. Because the government accepts and records property ownership documents like deeds and wills, documents filed with the government involving false representations are a crime and are treated more seriously than other forms of forgery.
Individuals charged with forgery in Arapahoe, Jefferson and Adams County face serious repercussions regardless of the classification of the offense because the crime implies that the person is not truthful. These long lasting reputation concerns may affect future employment and credibility in court proceedings. The credibility issue is not just limited to criminal cases but also affects civil cases, including divorce. Moreover, this crime is also difficult to explain on a background check, as the implication is that the person with this kind of conviction is untrustworthy. The assistance of an attorney is vital to navigating the credibility issue. An experienced attorney may be able to resolve this in a way which will limit those concerns.
If you or a loved one face the possibility of being charged with forgery, take the allegations very seriously, as they can affect you for years to come. These cases can involve complicated proof issues, defenses and sentencing – all which require an experienced attorney. We have spent years defending the accused against forgery charges in Douglas and Adams County, 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.