Lexington Forgery Defense Attorney
The first thing you need to do after you’ve been arrested for forgery, is to call a Cooley, Iuliano, Robey PLLC white collar crime attorney at 859-636-6803. Each of our partners is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, as well as the Kentucky Bar Association.
Our skilled forgery defense attorneys are always prepared to do a full investigation and defend your case, all while protecting your rights from the prosecution while they pursue their forgery case against you. Our forgery law firm and forgery attorneys are going to make certain that the Commonwealth of Kentucky is held to their burden of providing their case beyond a reasonable doubt.
What is forgery?
In Kentucky, and in most states as well and at the Federal level, forgery is defined as creating, using, or possessing a false document, with the intent to defraud someone. The key words are the document and intent. Forgery is mostly about making or altering writing that contains false information or is meant to lead to a false outcome.
The false writing has to be of apparent legal significance. A court will focus on this at any trial about forgery charges. It can’t just be a fake letter to a family member about a trip or a joke, parody, or even a mistake. The false information must have a legal consequence for the person or group that are victim of the fraud and the intent of making it seem like the document is something that it is not, like faking a signature on a loan application.
Kentucky statute has three degrees of forgery, with the first degree being meant to punish severa offenses involving money, stamps, securities, bonds, stocks, or other valuable instruments issued by a government. Forgery of the first degree is a Class C felony, with the result being up to ten years in prison.
Second degree forgery are those involving documents like a deed, will, contract, a commercial instrument, credit card applications, and more. This can lead to a Class D felony, which includes a period of one to five years in prison.
Forgery in the third degree are mostly Class A misdemeanors offenses that are fines of $500 dollars or 90 days in prison for writings that are not as serious as in the first two degrees.
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Possession of a forged instrument is also a crime in Kentucky, that results in penalties ranging from Class C felonies to a Class A Misdemeanors. Possession of a forgery device is a Class D felony.
If you are being accused of a forgery crime, finding experienced professionals like Lexington ky criminal defense attorney or a forger lawyer immediately after your arrest is where you should start in taking control of your future.
Have you been charged with forgery?
Our team of criminal defense attorneys are members of National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and have been recognized as Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys in America by The National Trial Lawyers and America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys. Put our experience and track record of success to work for you against the government’s charges and protect your freedom!
If you have been charged with forgery, you need a team of experienced criminal defense attorneys focused on achieving the absolute best outcome for your case. Call and speak with a Cooley Iuliano Robey, PLLC criminal defense attorney at 859-636-6803.
Types of Forgery Charges & Penal Codes in Kentucky
White collar crimes in Kentucky are non-violent offenses that involve fiscal matters such as fraud, money laundering, tax evasion, insider trading, identity theft and others, normally carried out by people in business or government. Being accused of a white-collar crime is enough to ruin your reputation and your livelihood, which is why you would want a white collar crime lawyer as soon as you’re accused. A forgery defense attorney who also has a great reputation for having a great client relationship in every case and experience in white collar crimes could help you avoid the harshest punishments for this crime, which should not be taken lightly
(1) A person is guilty of forgery in the first degree when, with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, he falsely makes, completes or alters a written instrument which is or purports to be or which is calculated to become or to represent when completed:
(a) Part of an issue of money, stamps, securities or other valuable instruments issued by a government or governmental agency; or
(b) Part of an issue of stock, bonds or other instruments representing interests in or claims against a corporate or other organization or its property.
(2) Forgery in the first degree is a Class C felony.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with a forgery charge in Kentucky, contact our reputable criminal defense lawyers or a forgery lawyer as soon as possible by calling 859-636-6803.
(1) A person is guilty of forgery in the second degree when, with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, he falsely makes, completes or alters a written instrument, or in the commission of a human trafficking offense as described in KRS 529.100 or 529.110, coerces another person to falsely make, complete, or alter a written instrument, which is or purports to be or which is calculated to become or to represent when completed:
(a) A deed, will, codicil, contract, assignment, commercial instrument, credit card or other instrument which does or may evidence, create, transfer, terminate or otherwise affect a legal right, interest, obligation or status; or
(b) A public record or an instrument filed or required or authorized by law to be filed in or with a public office or public employee; or
(c) A written instrument officially issued or created by a public office, public employee or governmental agency.
(2) Forgery in the second degree is a Class D felony.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with a forgery crime in second degree, contact our reputable criminal defense lawyers or a forgery lawyer as soon as possible by calling 859-636-6803.
(1) A person is guilty of forgery in the third degree when, with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, he falsely makes, completes or alters a written instrument.
(2) Forgery in the third degree is a Class A misdemeanor.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with a forgery crime in third degree, contact our reputable criminal defense lawyers or a forgery lawyer as soon as possible by calling 859-636-6803.
Possession of a forged instrument
(1) A person is guilty of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the first degree when, with knowledge that it is forged and with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, he utters or possesses any forged instrument of a kind specified in KRS 516.020.
(2) Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the first degree is a Class C felony.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with a forgery charge in Kentucky, contact our reputable criminal defense lawyers or a forgery lawyer as soon as possible by calling 859-636-6803.
(1) A person is guilty of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree when, with knowledge that it is forged and with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, he utters or possesses any forged instrument of a kind specified in KRS 516.030.
(2) Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree is a Class D felony.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with a forgery crime in second degree, contact our reputable criminal defense lawyers or a forgery lawyer as soon as possible by calling 859-636-6803.
(1) A person is guilty of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree when, with knowledge that it is forged and with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, he utters or possesses a forged instrument.
(2) Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree is a Class A Misdemeanor.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with a forgery crime in third degree, contact our reputable criminal defense lawyers or a forgery lawyer as soon as possible by calling 859-636-6803.
Possession of a forgery device
(1) A person is guilty of possession of a forgery device when he:
(a) Makes or possesses with knowledge of its character any plate, die or other device, apparatus, equipment or article specifically designed or adapted for use in forging written instruments; or
(b) Makes or possesses with knowledge of its character any device, apparatus, equipment or article capable of or adaptable to use in forging written instruments with intent to use it himself or to aid or permit another to use it for purposes of forgery.
(2) Possession of a forgery device is a Class D felony.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with a forgery charge in Kentucky, contact our reputable criminal defense lawyers or a forgery lawyer as soon as possible by calling 859-636-6803.
Criminal Simulation
(1) A person is guilty of criminal simulation in the first degree when he or she knowingly manufactures, markets, or distributes any product which is intended to defraud a test designed to detect the presence of alcohol or a controlled substance.
(2) Criminal simulation in the first degree is a Class D felony.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with a criminal simulation crime in the first degree, contact our reputable criminal defense lawyers or criminal simulation lawyer as soon as possible by calling 859-636-6803.
(1) A person is guilty of criminal simulation in the second degree when, with intent to defraud, he or she:
(a) Makes or alters any object in such manner that it appears to have an antiquity, rarity, source, or authorship which it does not in fact possess;
(b) Uses any product to alter the results of a test designed to detect the presence of alcohol or a controlled substance in that person; or
(c) Possesses an object so simulated with knowledge of its character.
(2) Criminal simulation in the second degree is a Class A misdemeanor.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with a criminal simulation crime in the second degree, contact our reputable criminal defense lawyers or criminal simulation lawyer as soon as possible by calling 859-636-6803.
Using Slugs
(1) A person is guilty of unlawfully using slugs in the first degree when:
(a) He makes, possesses or disposes of slugs with intent to enable a person to insert, deposit or use them in a coin machine; and
(b) The value of such slugs exceeds $100.
(2) Unlawfully using slugs in the first degree is a Class D felony.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with using slugs crime in the first degree, contact our reputable criminal defense lawyers or a using slugs defense lawyer as soon as possible by calling 859-636-6803.
(1) A person is guilty of unlawfully using slugs in the second degree when:
(a) With intent to defraud the owner, licensee or lessee of a coin machine, he inserts, deposits or uses a slug in such machine; or
(b) He makes, possesses or disposes of a slug with intent to enable a person to insert, deposit or use it in a coin machine.
(2) Unlawfully using slugs in the second degree is a Class B misdemeanor.
If you or someone you care about has been charged with using slugs crime in the second degree, contact our reputable criminal defense lawyers or a using slugs defense lawyer as soon as possible by calling 859-636-6803.
Penalties in Forgery Cases
Penalties for white collar crimes can range from very expensive fines to long prison sentences. Even if the most common punishment is time in minimum-security prisons, there’s no reason it can be something even harsher, especially if substantial amounts of money are involved. White collar crimes like tax fraud, credit card fraud, insider trading and fraud against the government are harshly punished and sometimes even handed over to federal prosecutors. For forgery charges, depending on their seriousness, and whether the crime is classified as a misdemeanor or a felony is detailed in their individual statutes in Kentucky Revised Statutes.
Take forgery offenses and allegations seriously and get professional legal representation in an expert local forgery lawyer as soon as possible to see to your case.
Misdemeanor
In general, a misdemeanor is a crime punishable by less than a year in prison, and sometimes there are only heavy fines involved, probation, or other sentences less harsh than with felonies. The consequences for someone guilty of a forgery crime punishable by a misdemeanor are;
- Class A misdemeanors – 90 days to 12 months jail time, including a monetary fine that can cost up to 500 dollars , and
- Class B misdemeanors – up to 90 days jail time, including a monetary fine up to 250 dollars
Nonetheless, they are a stain on your permanent record and can change your life for the worse, which is why you need the best forgery attorney you can get. A competent forgery defense attorney can get your case dismissed, charges filed against you dropped, or fight for an expungement of your misdemeanor conviction altogether.
Felony
A felony is the most serious type of crime, and hence, they offer the most serious punishments, with a period of years in prison. They are divided (like misdemeanors as well) into classes. The imprisonment terms for each class of this offense are;
- Class A – 20 to 50 years, or even life imprisonment,
- Class B – 10 to 20 years,
- Class C – 5 to 10 years, and
- Class D – 1 to 5 years
All serious crimes, except murders (they have their own punishments), are classified as felonies.
It’s also important to point out that former convictions of this degree matter. If district court investigations and records show you are a “persistent offender,” then it’s very likely you’ll be facing a longer prison term vs someone guilty of the same crime without records of a prior felony conviction. (Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 532.080 (2019 ).). If this is the case, it is advised for you to share this information with your forgery defense lawyer at the earliest.
A person found guilty of a felony in states like Kentucky will also need to pay a fine costing between 1,000 dollars and 10,000 dollars. Or, if it applies, double any gain from committing the offense. In the event that it does, the district court usually orders whichever amount is greater to be paid (Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 534.030 (2019 ).).
It’s difficult facing offenses as serious as this alone, especially since these have long lasting consequences on a person’s life once convicted. Which is why hiring expert forgery defense attorneys is essential. Experienced forgery attorneys will know what to expect along with the best way to protect your rights, or avoid a conviction altogether.
Federal
In the United States, more than other crimes, white collar offenses are usually prosecuted by federal authorities in the US. The FBI is responsible for processing those accused of federal white-collar crimes. Federal white-collar charges result when they transpire on or against federal property and institutions, but they are mostly a federal offense because they normally involve financial institutions and businesses across several states. Some of these offenses include, but are not limited to, money laundering, tax evasion, election law violations, embezzlement, and several types of fraud, like mortgage, bank, health care, mass marketing, securities, and commodities, and corporate fraud. People in business or government are the vast majority of those arrested for white collar crimes. These are not victimless crimes.There can be billions of dollars at stake, along with the livelihoods of thousands of people. The penalties for white -collar crimes can range from a simple fine to jail time of a few years. The punishment will depend on the extent of the money involved, people affected, and even the social implications of your crime. You will immediately need a federal fraud lawyer if you are facing fraud charges in Kentucky or anywhere else.
You need an experienced lawyer that specializes in criminal defense
All of our criminal forgery attorneys at Cooley Iuliano Robey, PLLC are members of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as well as the Kentucky Bar Association, with decades of experience in matters of forgery charges and forgery defenses or other practice areas. We value the best interest of every client, above all, and with our resources and insights about law, we can create new defense opportunities in your case, no matter how minor. When it comes to forgery crimes, you need forgery attorneys who will fight for your constitutional rights, and start by doing an evaluation of every evidence and content of the detail of your case, no matter how inconsequential they may be. We will then create the best defenses in your trial and strive to avoid the harshest sentence or any penalties at all.
Free Consultation & Case Review from our experienced forgery lawyers
At CIR Legal, our forgery attorney’s forgery defense services include offering free consultation and case review to potential clients or otherwise. Our forgery attorneys have fought and will always strive to fight for the rights of every defendant in the state of Kentucky, no matter the type of offense. Call our law office at 859-636-6803 or fill out our form for a free consultation, no matter if it’s pm or am.
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