UTAH FORGED WRITING DEVICE DEFENSE LAWYER

In Utah, being charged with forgery can mean paying heavy fines, possible jail time, and destruction of your record. These are not charges you want to face alone. Let Weber Law help you today!

WHAT IS FORGERY?

A person is guilty of forgery if, with purpose to defraud anyone, or with knowledge that the person is facilitating a fraud to be perpetrated by anyone, the person:

• Alters any writing of another without his authority or utters the altered writing; or makes, completes, executes, authenticates, issues, transfers, publishes, or utters any writing so that the writing or the making, completion, execution, authentication, issuance, transference, publication, or utterance:
  • Purports to be the act of another, whether the person is real or not;
  • Purports to be an act on behalf of another party with the authority of that other party; or
  • Purports 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 an original did not exist.

You can also be charged with producing or transferring any false identification document if you create false identification cards, or attempt to alter an identification card.

Any time you alter a document to say something it did not, or sign someone else’s name to a document, you are committing forgery. Writing doctor’s notes for your employment, signing a check for someone else, or even omitting information from an original document (like whiting it out), you are committing forgery.

Additionally, if you have equipment that can create false documents, like fake identification cards, checks, or even money printing, you can be charged with possession of forged writing or device for writing.

WHAT IS THE PENALTY?

The penalties for forgery can include not only jail time but a hefty fine. 

A charge of forgery when a person is trying to defraud someone is considered a third degree felony.

A charge of forgery when a person produces or transfers any false identification document, is considered a second degree felony. 

If you are charged with possession of forged writing or device for writing, it is a third degree felony.

A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000.00. 

A second degree felony is punishable by one to fifteen years imprisonment, and up to a $10,000 fine.

Specifically, under Utah Code § 76-6-501, it is not a defense that the person who commits forgery, had partial permission to sign someone’s name to a writing, and signs their own name. It can seem like that might be the best defense, and that could ruin your case, so let Weber Law’s expertise of the statutes work for you!

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF FORGERY?

If you have been accused of forgery, let Weber Law help you today. It can be a stressful situation to have criminal charges pending and Weber Law will work for you. Let Weber Law work to have your citation dismissed or dropped to a lower offense. If that is not possible, we will negotiate the best deal for you, which could include a shorter jail time or no jail time, and a lesser fine. 

There are potential defenses against a charge of forgery including not meaning to use that information. Weber Law will look at every aspect of your case, including surveillance footage, eye witness testimonies, and even your prior criminal record. Let Weber Law build the best defense for you! A charge of forgery on your record could potentially hurt future job offers, especially in the banking industry, and will remain on your record for the rest of your life. Weber Law is experienced in defending these charges and getting you back to a life free of criminal charges. It is never a good idea to face these charges without an attorney, the court room can be intimidating, and you need someone with experience. Any blemish on your record can have detrimental effects on the rest of your life. Let Weber Law’s experienced attorneys fight for you in court. If you or someone you know has been accused of forgery, contact Weber Law today for a consultation.

• Utah Code § 76-6-501, Forgery and producing false identification – elements of offense – definitions
• Utah Code § 76-6-502, Possession of forged writing or device for writing — penalty
• Utah Code § 76-3-204, misdemeanor conviction – term of imprisonment
• Utah Code § 76-3-203, Felony conviction—indeterminate term of imprisonment
• Utah Code § 76-3-301, fines of individuals