Forgery Defense Lawyer in Monmouth County
Have you been arrested and charged with forgery in Monmouth County? If so, we strongly recommend that you speak to an experienced and knowledgeable criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. Not only is forgery a felony offense, which if not handled properly could land a Defendant behind bars for up to five years but the stigma that follows with a forgery conviction can have life long consequences. Obtaining meaningful employment and/or professional licenses could become extremely difficult for anyone scarred with a forgery conviction. Furthermore, based on New Jersey’s current bail system, which now takes a risk assessment approach, if the individual possess a significant of a risk, it is possible for the prosecution to try and keep them detained, without bail, in the County jail. In order to do so a formal detention hearing must be conducted. For more information on detention hearings in Monmouth County, please click the link. If you have been accused of forgery, theft by deception, theft of movable property, receiving stolen property, credit card fraud or any other criminal offense for that matter in Monmouth County, Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help.
Need Forgery Defense Attorney in Wall Township NJ
At Keith Oliver Criminal Law, we fully understand the consequences that a felony forgery conviction can do to someone’s life. As such, we are dedicated to aggressively defending these types of cases in order to obtain a favorable outcome for our clients. If you would like to come into our Middletown office for an in-depth consultation, then please contact us directly at 732.858.6959. Our attorneys serve all of Monmouth County, including towns like Howell, Holmdel, Middletown, Belmar, Freehold, Aberdeen, Tinton Falls, Eatontown, Ocean Township, Wall Township, Asbury Park and Colts Neck. As always, our initial consultations are free of costs, so if you have any questions whatsoever, please do not hesitate to call. Forgery is an extremely serious offense and should not be taken lightly.
What Qualifies as Forgery in New Jersey?
Forgery, which is governed under NJSA 2C:21-1a, in essence seeks to prosecute those accused of changing, altering and/or uttering a “writing” without authorization and in some cases, then presenting that “writing” to another knowing it was false. Some of the most common “writings” include checks, leases, deeds to a home, prescriptions, credit cards, access devices and badges.
What Must Be Proven on a Forgery Case in NJ?
In order to be convicted of this offense, the prosecution must prove that any of the following circumstances occurred:
- That the Defendant modified a writing of another without that person’s authorization; OR
- That the Defendant made, completed, executed, authenticated, issued or transferred a writing so that it purported to be:
- The act of another without their authorization; or
- The act of a fictitious person; or
- To be a copy of an original where no such original existed; OR
- That the Defendant uttered a writing which he/she knew to be forged.
To utter a writing, one must put or send into circulation and includes displaying of a forged document even without having made or issued the document.
What is the Sentence for a Forgery Charge in NJ?
Forgery can either be considered a third or fourth degree indictable offense depending on the underlying facts. If the writing is or purports to be part of an issuing of money, securities, postage or revenue stamps or other instruments, certificates or licenses issued by the government, New Jersey Prescription Blanks or part of an issue of stock, bonds or other instruments representing interest in or claims against any property or enterprise or an access device, a check or what purports to be a check, 3 or 15 or more forged or altered retail sales receipts or universal product code labels, then the Defendant will be charged with forgery in the third degree. If the writing is anything else, then the Defendant will be charged with forgery in the fourth degree.
Forgery in the 3rd Degree:
- 3 to 5 Years in State Prison;
- $15,000 Fine.
Forgery in the 4thDegree:
- 18 Months in State Prison;
- $10,000 Fine.
Looking for Ways to Avoid Jail Time on a Forgery Charge in NJ?
Depending on the underlying facts, a Defendant may be eligible for the Pretrial Intervention Program (PTI). PTI is a diversionary program in New Jersey whereby if the Defendant completes the probationary term, without violating any of the conditions imposed, the felony charges would be dismissed outright. For more information on the Pretrial Intervention Program in New Jersey, please click the link.
Forgery Charges Will Always be Considered a Felony in NJ
Regardless of what is alleged to have been forged, whether it be a document, a check or prescription, the offense will always be classified as an indictable offense, which is New Jersey’s version of a felony. As touched upon directly above, forgery can either be further classified as either a third or fourth degree indictable offense. So anyone convicted of this offense will be scarred with a felony criminal record. Pursuant to New Jersey’s expungement statute, this offense must remain in the individual’s criminal record for at least five years. For more information expunging a felony offense in New Jersey, please check the link.
Need to Consult with a Forgery Defense Lawyer in Holmdel NJ
Keith Oliver Criminal Law is a Monmouth County based criminal defense firm that practices in courts throughout the County, including courts in Freehold, Atlantic Highland, Wall Township, Rumson, Little Silver, Hazlet, Matawan, Belmar, Spring Lake and Manalapan. If you have been charged with a crime like theft by extortion, burglary, robbery, theft of services, identity theft or any other theft related crime in Monmouth County, Keith Oliver Criminal Law can help. Our attorneys are well aware what is on the line when an individual is accused of a serious felony criminal offense like forgery. As such, are attorneys are dedicated to aggressively challenge the evidence against our clients in an effort to successful defend the allegations. If you would like to speak to one of the criminal defense attorneys at Keith Oliver Criminal Law, then please contact our Middletown Office at 732.858.6959 or you can try contacting us online.