Forgery Attorney in Union County
Elizabeth NJ Forgery Defense Lawyer
Attorney for Forgery Charges in Union County, New Jersey
Forgery charges have become more prevalent in today’s day and age and New Jersey takes these crimes very seriously. If convicted, you could face a state prison sentence as well as probation, community service, a criminal record, and thousands in fines and restitution. Because of the nature of most forgery crimes, it is common to have related charges such as Prescription Fraud, Credit Card Fraud, Theft by Deception and Check Fraud. At William Proetta Criminal Law we are dedicated to exclusively representing clients for criminal and municipal charges such forgery and related crimes. We defend clients charged with forgery throughout New Jersey including Elizabeth, Linden, Cranford, Union Township, Scotch Plains, and Roselle Park. We will analyze the weaknesses in the State’s case against and work with the prosecutor at obtaining a successful resolution, which can include a dismissal of the charges.
If you or a loved one has been charged with forgery then contact our Cranford office at (908) 838-0150 for immediate assistance from an experienced forgery defense attorney. We provide a free consultation to answer your questions and concerns and we will inform you of the ways we can help you.
2C:21-1 New Jersey Forgery Law
The New Jersey statute for the crime of forgery is provided below, in pertinent part, for your reading convenience.
§ 2C:21-1. Forgery
Forgery. A person is guilty of forgery if, with purpose to defraud or injure anyone, or with knowledge that he is facilitating a fraud or injury to be perpetrated by anyone, the actor:
(1) Alters or changes any writing of another without his authorization;
(2) Makes, completes, executes, authenticates, issues or transfers any writing so that it purports to be the act of another who did not authorize that act or of a fictitious person, or 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 no such original existed; or
(3) Utters any writing which he knows to be forged in a manner specified in paragraph (1) or (2).
b. Grading of forgery. Forgery is a crime of the third degree if the writing is or purports to be part of an issue of money, securities, postage or revenue stamps, or other instruments, certificates or licenses issued by the government, New Jersey Prescription Blanks as referred to in R.S.45:14-14, or part of an issue of stock, bonds or other instruments representing interest in or claims against any property or enterprise, personal identifying information or an access device. Forgery is a crime of the third degree if the writing is or purports to be a check. Forgery is a crime of the third degree if the writing is or purports to be 15 or more forged or altered retail sales receipts or universal product code labels.
Otherwise forgery is a crime of the fourth degree.
c. Possession of forgery devices. A person is guilty of possession of forgery devices, a crime of the third degree, when with purpose to use, or to aid or permit another to use the same for purposes of forging written instruments, including access devices and personal identifying information, he makes or possesses any device, apparatus, equipment, computer, computer equipment, computer software or article specially designed or adapted to such use.
What are the Penalties for Forgery in New Jersey?
Forgery is normally a fourth degree crime but can be upgraded to a third degree depending on certain factors which are illustrated below
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Third Degree Forgery, ONLY IF |
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Linden NJ Forgery Crime Lawyer
Whether your forgery charge is a 3rd or 4th degree offense, it will still be handled up in the Union County Superior Court because it is a felony. Indictable cases can be complicated and difficult and take the experience of a season criminal defense lawyer. As founding attorney, William Proetta has handled thousands of criminal and municipal charges such as forgery during his career. We represent clients charged with forgery throughout New Jersey such as Kenilworth, Springfield, Roselle, Hillside, New Providence, and Berkeley Heights. A defendant charged with forgery, who has little or no criminal record, could be a potential candidate for a diversion program such as Pre-Trial Intervention (“PTI”). Considering the circumstances your case, we can we choose to work with the County Prosecutor’s Office on seeking and securing your admittance into PTI so the charges are ultimately dismissed upon completion.
If you or a loved one has been charged with a crime of forgery or other related criminal charges, contact our office to speak with an experienced forgery lawyer for a free initial consultation at (908) 838-0150.