What You Should Know About Forgery in Illinois

 Posted on May 15, 2023 in Criminal Law

In Illinois, forgery is a form of white-collar crime that occurs when an individual deliberately signs a document falsely or introduces a fraudulent document with the intent to defraud or deceive the other party. In Illinois, forgery is a serious offense that is punishable by imprisonment and significant fines. Therefore, if you are facing forgery charges in Illinois, you should call a criminal defense attorney sooner rather than later to ensure you understand what you are being charged with and what options you have available to you.

Types of Forgery to Be Aware Of

If there is one thing to know about forgery, it is a crime that can come in all shapes and sizes. For example, forgery may include creating or altering public documents, falsifying identification documents, or creating and issuing checks using someone else's accounts. Other forms of forgery include the use of digital signatures and symbols or electronic data like computer programs or files.

Penalties for Forgery in Illinois

The penalties for forgery are not to be taken lightly. Considered a Class 3 felony, those convicted of forgery can be sentenced to two to five years in jail, with a maximum fine of up to $25,000. Furthermore, someone convicted of forgery may be required to pay restitution to whoever was negatively impacted by the forgery.

Possible Defense Strategies for Forgery

Suppose a person is facing forgery charges in Illinois. In that case, they may have various defenses to consider, such as insufficiency of evidence or a lack of intent to deceive, both of which are required for a conviction. Another possible defense is mistaken identity, where the defense attorney may propose that authorities possess insufficient evidence to link the accused with the forged document.

You Have Been Charged with Felony Forgery. Now What?

Many people, when they are charged with a felony, panic completely and quickly relinquish all hope. Instead of adopting this mindset, think clearly and strategically. Of course, your first decision should be to call a criminal defense lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the sooner you can begin building your defense. It is likely that prosecutors will aggressively pursue a conviction against you, which makes hiring an attorney even more important.

Contact an Orland Park, IL, Forgery Defense Attorney

Call the aggressive Orland Park, IL forgery defense lawyer with Issa Law, LLC to protect yourself and your rights. Call 708-966-2408 for a free consultation.

Source:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/072000050K17-3.htm