Being accused of any kind of theft crime or fraud crime across New York can be an overwhelming experience. Whether you are looking at insurance fraud, Medicaid fraud or any other kind of allegation that you have been dishonest or deceived someone it is imperative that you retain experienced Bronx criminal defense.
A Bronx forgery attorney can help advise you about your rights and tell you more about what to expect. Although it is not as widely discussed or charged as offense as such as assault, drug possession or theft, forgery and charges associated with it still affect residence of Bronx and across New York every single day. The right forgery defense attorney in the Bronx can help to navigate the complicated legal system while minimizing the potential consequences. The crime of forgery is classified under the New York Penal law section 170.
Forgery offenses are often classified by the degree of their severity, and felony charges are possible. Forgery might be charged with other white collar crimes such as embezzlement, and stacked charges like this make it even more critical that you retain a lawyer immediately.
There are three primary degrees of forgery throughout New York and understanding the potential consequences of each of these crimes is critical.
Forgery in The Third DegreeWhen retaining an experienced Bronx forgery defense lawyer, make sure you identify someone who has experience in all degrees of forgery so as to advise you further about your rights. Anyone who is guilty of forgery in the third degree maybe accused of falsely making, altering, or completing a written instrument.
Bear in mind that you should realize that a written instrument is anything that contains printed or written matter, including virtual data or computer programs. As a class A misdemeanor, forgery in the third degree can be punished with a fine of up to $1000 and as long as one year in prison. Hiring a forgery defense attorney in the Bronx however, can help you to identify the best way to avoid these misdemeanor allegations.
Forgery in The Second DegreeAlthough the same parameters define forgery in the second degree as the third degree, the added condition for a second-degree allegation is that the written instrument will represent any of the following items:
Although the general parameters associated with forgery in the second and third degree apply for first degree forgery. The written instrument must represent or will be either a bond, stock, food stamp, money, or any other item of value that is issued by the government. As a serious felony allegation in New York, this is a class C felony and can be punished by as long as fifteen years in prison and fines at a maximum of $15,000.
If you or someone you know is currently under investigation for forgery, your ability to identify experienced criminal defense can have a significant impact on avoiding these serious charges. Don’t make the mistake of assuming that you can wait too long to get help because of waiting the consequences and trusting your case to any criminal defense attorney is not your best course of action.
The right lawyer can help you to identify the evidence that the prosecution has against you as well any other opportunities to successfully defend yourself. There may be alternatives available to you in the early parts of your case that may disappear overtime and exposing yourself to the risk of making these common mistakes could leave you kicking yourself later when you should have just retained a Bronx forgery defense attorney who has extensive experience in the field.
It’s hard to know who you can trust with the aspects of your case, but when you find the right lawyer immediately after being charged, it’s easier to know who you can trust. No one else in the justice system is looking out for your best interests, so entrust your case to the right lawyer.