Orlando Forgery Lawyer

In Florida, forgery can consist of many things, from something as simple as making and using a fake airplane ticket, to creating a fake will or forging a signature on someone else's check. Forgery is a highly serious offense with harsh criminal penalties for those found guilty. At Adams, Luka, & Benton, our Orland fraud defense attorneys have the skill, experience, and dedicated approach essential to secure good results. If you have been arrested or are under investigation for forgery, we urge you to contact our firm immediately.

There are countless methods of committing forgery, including counterfeiting a fake tax document or deed, or even an insurance policy covering your vehicle should you be pulled over. Other documents that are frequently forged include, but are not limited to:

• Receipts
• Letters from a lawyer
• Promissory notes
• Insurance policies
• Checks
• Deeds
• Bonds
• Charters
• Testimony
• Passenger tickets
• Bills of lading

While creating fake documents is illegal, altering an already existing document is against the law as well. For example, if you change a dollar amount or the date on a document, you could face forgery charges. Because this offense is a third degree felony which could leave you facing prison time, it is urgent you take action at once if you have been accused of forgery.

To be convicted of forgery, the state must prove three elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. These elements include:

• The defendant published or presented an item that was forged to someone else,
• The defendant had knowledge that the item was changed, counterfeited, or in some way forged, and
• The defendant had the intent to defraud or injure the person/party the forged document was given to.

Proving all of these elements is not an easy feat for any prosecutor, however our Orlando forgery defense attorneys will work diligently to determine and develop a solid, effective defense on our client's behalf. We will thoroughly explore the state's case for any weaknesses as well. In some instances, such as the forged signing of a check, it may be that the owner of the bank account gave permission. There are many plausible defense strategies depending on the facts of your particular case.

The penalties for forgery are harsh in Florida, and may include all or any combination of the following:

• A maximum of five (5) years in prison
• A maximum of five (5) years of probation
• Maximum fines of $5,000

As you can see, the penalties are certainly a reason for concern. Something as seemingly harmless as signing your name to someone else's check in order to gain even a small amount of money from that person could land you behind bars for a very long time.

When you have been arrested on charges of forgery or are under investigation, it is critical to take action immediately to protect your legal rights, freedom, and even your future. At Adams, Luka, & Benton, our Orlando forgery defense lawyers are dedicated to securing the best possible results for every client we represent. It is vital that you seek legal guidance now; call us for a free consultation at (407) 872-0307 or (352) 787-2101.