Experienced Forgery Defense Attorneys in Minneapolis & St. Paul MN
You need to call an experienced Minnesota forgery criminal defense lawyer as soon as you are charged with the crime. Say nothing to the police until you have talked with an attorney from Sieben Edmunds Miller. It may be your only chance at having the charges reduced or even dismissed. But the penalties for a conviction are stiff.
Forgery happens when somebody deliberately creates or alters a document that they use for their own personal gain, and then using that document to deceive or defrauding another person, business or the government. It might be forging someone’s signature on a check or falsifying a report used to obtain a contract. It is one of the many different types of white-collar crime in Minnesota.
Businesses Are Often Targets of Forgery
Like other white-collar crime, many forgery claims are made by businesses – and some companies also commit forgery to obtain credit, funds and to secure a business deal. But often, an employee will forge checks or other documents to obtain cash.
Depending on the victim, the amount of money involved in the forgery and other circumstances, the accused may face charges from both the State of Minnesota and the federal government. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a conviction of a person charged in a state and federal court for the same crime, saying it does not constitute Double Jeopardy. So the penalties can be very severe for a conviction. Items that are most-often forged include:
Financial documents
Personal checks
Credit card signatures
ID cards and driver’s licenses
Contracts
Legal certificates
Legal documents
But a forgery can also be committed if it involves artwork, antiques or stamps and currency. Simply passing on a fake or altered document also is considered a crime. Multiple forgeries committed within a six month period can be prosecuted as separate crimes.
Forgery Crimes Carry Stiff Penalties
Prison sentences often are handed down for a forgery conviction along with hefty fines. The sentence will depend on the value of the forgery.
This is why anybody being investigated for forgery or has been charged with the crime needs to consult with an Minneapolis criminal defense attorneys and St.Paul criminal defense attorneys attorney at Sieben Edmunds Miller immediately. We will represent you during the investigation and strive for the best possible outcome for your case.
