In the popular movie, Catch Me If You Can, Frank Abagnale is pictured to have collected millions of dollars from forged checks before his nineteenth birthday. While that may seem hard to believe, this movie is based on a true story and Frank Abagnale is a real person who committed forgery. It is contested how much forgery he was a part of in real life and it most likely is less than the movie portrays, but Frank Abagnale is no stranger to the act of forgery.
There are a variety of ways that a person can commit forgery, leaving room for many situations in which a person can be wrongfully prosecuted for committing forgery. You can be accused of committing the crime of forgery if it is believed that you participated in creating a fake document or changing an existing document with intent to deceive someone else. A very common example of forgery is altering forms of identification or utilizing a fake ID. While it can seem like a harmless way to have some fun when you are underage, obtaining or even creating a fake ID can lead to serious charges of forgery and negatively affect your future. If you have been charged with forgery, there are options for your defense! Contact an experienced forgery lawyer today.
Colorado Forgery Law – CRS 18-5-102
You can be charged with forgery if it is suspected that you:
- created or used a document
- intended to imitate a number of restricted written instruments
What Will Happen If I’m Convicted of Forgery in Colorado?
A few different punishments can be pursued once you are charged with forgery. The level of charge depends on the type of document forged. The following punishments will be considered in regard to your case:
For a class five felony, usually charged when the documents forged are legal documents or cash:
- 1-3 years in prison,
- A fine of $1,000-$100,000
For a lesser but still serious charge:
- 6-18 months in jail,
- A fine of $500-$5,000
Reasons to Hire a Forgery Lawyer
The possible defenses for a charge of forgery are many but require a skilled attorney well versed in criminal law to be on your side and have the best outcome for you in mind. Just like Frank Abagnale, an accusation of forgery doesn’t mean that you’re out of options for defense. Whether you didn’t mean to forge the document or the police performed misconduct toward you at any time in their investigation, call us today so that we can help you fight these charges and save your future.
Don’t talk to police about forgery charges – talk to us. 303-830-0880
Photo by Marius Muresan
