Voorhees NJ Forgery Lawyers
Defense Attorneys for Fraud Charges in Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester County NJ
Forgery is a common crime in New Jersey, as these offenses can overlap with many other theft and fraud offenses. For example, a person may be charged with forgery and face related charges for credit card fraud, check fraud, prescription fraud, or even identity theft. In order to be convicted of forgery, the State must demonstrate that a person made or presented a false document, or possessed items used to create fraudulent documentation. Forgery is a felony under New Jersey law, which means a person may be sentenced to prison and will become a convicted felon if ultimately found guilty. There are other collateral consequences that may be associated with a forgery conviction, such as restitution payments to the victim and adverse effects on immigration status. If you or someone you love has been charged with forgery in Burlington, Camden, or Gloucester County, New Jersey, it is essential to have an experienced criminal defense lawyer advocating for you.
At our criminal defense law firm, our attorneys have been defending clients charged with crimes like forgery for decades. Criminal defense attorney William Fay, has successfully resolved thousands of criminal cases for clients throughout Burlington and Camden County, including in Cherry Hill, Haddon Township, Gloucester Township, Evesham Township and Voorhees. With his dedication to delivering the best possible results, Mr. Fay has earned a reputation for excellence as a tireless defender and advocate for those accused whom he represents. If you have been arrested for forgery, contact us today for a free consultation about your case. We are also available to schedule an appointment with you at our office..
New Jersey Forgery Statute: N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1
Section 2C:21-1 of the New Jersey Criminal Code explains the various actions that constitute forgery under NJ law. According to the statute, a person is guilty of forgery if, with purpose to defraud or injure anyone, or with knowledge that he is facilitating a fraud or injury to be perpetrated by anyone, the actor:
(1) Alters or changes any writing of another without his authorization;
(2) Makes, completes, executes, authenticates, issues or transfers any writing so that it purports to be the act of another who did not authorize that act or of a fictitious person, or to have been executed at a time or place or in a numbered sequence other than was in fact the case, or to be a copy of an original when no such original existed; or
(3) Utters any writing which he knows to be forged in a manner specified in paragraph (1) or (2).
Penalties for Forgery in New Jersey
In terms of the grading of forgery, these offenses can be classified as third degree or fourth degree crimes. The degree of a forgery charge is determined by the item subject to the forgery. Specifically, forgery is a third degree crime if the offense is related to:
- Checks, money, securities, stocks, or bonds
- Postage or revenue stamps
- Government licenses or certificates
- New Jersey prescription blanks
- Personal identifying information
- Access devices
- 15 or more retail sales receipts or universal product code (UPC) labels
In all other cases, forgery is a fourth degree crime. Third degree forgery may result in a prison sentence ranging from 3 to 5 years and a maximum fine of $15,000. On the other hand, fourth degree forgery charges are punishable by up to 18 months of incarceration and a $10,000 fine.
Consult Cherry Hill NJ Forgery Lawyers for your Defense
If you are charged with a violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1 or another fraud crime, it is important to understand all of your options. There are defenses that can be used to get forgery charges dismissed, as well as diversionary programs like Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) which also lead to a dismissal if you successfully complete a period of probation. Our criminal defense attorneys thoroughly review the evidence in each case to determine the best strategy. We work with you, answer your questions, and ensure you feel confident and informed throughout the legal process. Contact us today for a free consultation about your forgery case. You can reach out online or call anytime for immediate assistance.
