Forgery Lawyer

Forgery is a criminal offense that involves either creating, altering, or using a document unlawfully to defraud or deceive another person. This is much more serious than a child forging their parent’s signature on a poor test result or a field trip slip. These acts can include falsifying checks, forging contracts, or altering an identification document to gain a financial or legal advantage. If you have been accused of this, a Scottsdale forgery lawyer can help.

At The Law Office of Joshua A. Lopez, LLC, we understand how serious the implications of forgery can be. That’s why our team sets out to provide comprehensive criminal defense services for those in daunting situations like these. We can listen to your side of the story and find evidence that helps to support the claims you want to make in court. We can be your legal advocates inside and outside of the courtroom.

While forgery allegations can feel like the end of the world, there are several defense strategies one can take with their attorney to challenge the charges. A forgery case hinges on the prosecution’s ability to prove that you had the intention of defrauding someone. Some of the defense strategies below can help to combat that notion.

• Lack of Intent to Defraud
  A key element of any forgery case is the intent to deceive or defraud another individual. If the prosecution is unable to prove that you knowingly committed this act, it will be harder for their charges to stick. For example, if you can show how you accidentally signed a document or were unaware that it was falsified, your defense attorney could highlight this lack of intent to defend you against the charges.
• Insufficient Evidence
  All forgery allegations must be supported by convincing evidence that ties the defendant directly to the fraudulent act they are being accused of committing. To respond, your defense lawyer can challenge how reliable this evidence is. For example, they could ask the witnesses follow-up questions and try to spot holes in their claims. In some cases, the prosecution may be relying on circumstantial evidence, which can be disputed with alternative explanations for what happened.
• Coercion or Duress
  If you have any evidence to show that you were pressured or forced into committing forgery, this alone could be enough to defend yourself against the allegations. Coercion happens when someone uses threats or intimidation to compel you to act against your will. If you successfully prove that you acted under duress, it can absolve you from criminal liability.
• Mistaken Identity
  Just like any criminal accusation, the wrong person can be accused of committing a crime. This is especially common in forgery cases, as the root cause of the issue is that there was an act of identity misrepresentation. Sometimes, signatures, digital records, or surveillance footage can be inconclusive or point to someone else. If this is true for your own case, your Scottsdale Forgery Lawyer will use these details to help advance a mistaken identity defense.
• Consent or Authorization
  Sometimes, individuals are accused of forgery for signing a document that they believed they had the authority to modify. For example, if you had someone’s permission to sign on their behalf or make changes to a specific document, your actions would not count as a forgery. To take this defense position, you will need to work with your Scottsdale Forgery Lawyer to prove that you had the initial authorization to make the changes in question.
• Violation of Your RightsIf you have any evidence to show how law enforcement violated your constitutional rights during the forgery investigation, like conducting an illegal search and seizure of your property, this could have the power to dismiss any evidence they collect. In some instances, it could remove the alleged piece of forged material from the case for consideration. This alone could be enough to dismiss the charges you face.