Crime a very serious offense and can lead to very serious consequences. For this and other reasons, if you’ve been charged with fraud then you need to immediately reach out to an experienced defense attorney. Today we’re going to outline fraud charges, the potential consequences, and your potential defense options. Call us right away at (949) 585-9055 to get a free legal consultation from Law Office of Michael L. Fell.

The definition of forgery

There are many types of fraud in California. Forgery is a white-collar crime in which a person falsifies a signature or seal or counterfeits documents as part of a plan to defraud someone. It can involve singing someone else’s name without their permission, forging a seal on a document, falsifying legal documents, or altering checks, bank bills, traveler’s checks, etc. To be convicted, the prosecution must show that you not only did the action in question but that you did so with the intent to defraud a person or institution.

Other fraud charges

Other fraud charges that are similar to forgery include credit card fraud, check fraud, or preparing false evidence. Fraud charges known as insurance fraud charges including worker’s comp fraud, auto insurance fraud, welfare fraud, dent-cal fraud, unemployment insurance fraud, and health care fraud. Whatever type of fraud you’re accused of, you can count on Law Office of Michael L. Fell to help.

Potential defense options to forgery

If you’re accused of forgery, then there are numerous ways we may defend you. First, remember that one requirement for a guilty verdict is that you had the intent to defraud. We may show that while you did sign a document falsely, you didn’t plan to do anything with it. As a result, you had no intention for forgery and therefore no crime was committed.

Another option is to show that you didn’t commit the forgery in the first place. Finally, we may show that you did commit the forgery but fight for a better outcome via negotiation with the prosecutor. It all depends on the evidence against you and your criminal record.

Potential penalties for fraud charges

Forgery is what’s known in California as a “wobbler” offense. It can be charged as a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the evidence and the decisions the prosecutor makes. They will consider the evidence against you, your criminal history, and other factors before deciding how to charge you. If you are convicted of a misdemeanor, then you could be spending up to a year in jail while a felony can result in up to three years in prison. Either conviction can lead to fines and restitution costs.

Do you need help with your fraud charges? Call us today

If you’re facing fraud charges and don’t know what your next move should be, we have the answer: Contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055. We’ll start you out with a free legal consultation and let you know what options work best for your case. Call us today and take back control of your life.