What is Forgery?
When a person commits an act of forgery, the charges they will receive will depend on the situation and location where the crime was committed. It is considered a felony for some people and a misdemeanor for others, but it all depends on the exact details of the crime. Forgery is considered a white-collar crime due to the way that it often negatively impacts companies and those that have had funds stolen from them.
There are times when the act of forgery causes people and business owners to lose out on millions of dollars. However, not all cases are the same. There are times when a person commits an act of forgery and causes a person to lose out on a thousand dollars or less. Committing the act, in general, is still wrong, but due to the smaller amount, the charge may be considered a misdemeanor instead of a felony. Prosecutors would need to gather enough evidence to substantiate the claims that one person committed forgery against another, causing a profit loss.
Although felony cases are still considered white-collar crimes, those that are charged with felonies are often looking at heftier fines and lengthier prison sentences. There are states that would require the defendant to pay restitution to the victim to ensure that he or she would receive compensation for their financial losses. When a person is charged with a felony, it is something that typically sticks with them for the rest of their lives. The convicted individual could end up with something that follows him or her for a lifetime while still being responsible for paying back the money that is owed to the victim.
How Is Forgery a White-Collar Crime?
A white-collar crime is a type of crime that occurs when one person defrauds another. Because those that commit acts of forgery are essentially defrauding their victims for their own monetary gain, these criminal acts are considered white-collar crimes. Not only does forgery have to do with the act of stealing something from someone, but it also has to do with falsifying documents.
Crimes That Connect to One Another
A person who commits forgery is usually committing several other crimes at the same time. These crimes would include theft of goods or money and embezzlement of funds. The person that is considered the perpetrator may act alone or conspire with others to commit these crimes for one reason or another. When the prosecution is trying to prove that an individual committed these types of crimes, they will often bring in expert witnesses that can help them with their investigative discovery.
Getting the Right Defense
If a person has been charged with committing forgery, it is necessary for that person to hire a lawyer to provide a defense. Hiring an experienced criminal defense lawyer that regularly works on forgery cases is the right thing for a defendant to do. The lawyer will do research, challenge any evidence, and possibly do anything possible to get a plea bargain for the defendant for lesser charges.
Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer About Your White-Collar Crime Charges Today!
Were you arrested or charged with a white-collar crime in New Jersey? The consequences of a conviction could be severe, leaving you with a permanent criminal record and possibly even sending you to jail. That is why you need to speak with a qualified criminal defense attorney as soon as possible about your forgery case. The attorneys at the Law Offices of Stephen R. Piper have successfully represented clients in Camden County, Burlington County, Gloucester County, Cumberland County and throughout South Jersey. Call 856-333-3586 or fill out the online contact form to schedule a consultation with a member of our legal team. We have an office located at the Strawbridge Professional Center of Moorestown, 212 W Route 38, Ste 440, Moorestown, NJ 08057.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.