Tampa Forgery Lawyer

Our Forgery Defense Attorney Can Fight for Your Future

The crime of forgery can include many different actions, but it is most commonly associated with filling in blanks on an official document with the intent to defraud. Examples could include forging a signature on a check to deposit it and obtain funds from an account, creating a false identification to gain access to restricted areas, or obtaining a line of credit as another individual. These are serious white collar crimes.

Have you been arrested and charged with the crime of forgery? It is vitally important that you understand your rights and take the necessary steps to pursue a favorable outcome to the charges you face. At The Law Offices of Jeff Paulk, we understand the severity of a forgery charge. As a former prosecutor with more than 20 years of legal experience, Tampa forgery defense attorney Jeff Paulk knows how to approach these complex cases.

Contact our firm to discuss your situation at no cost. 

What Is Considered Forgery in Florida?

To charge someone with forgery, it must be proven that the defendant made, altered, or forged something acting as though they are somebody else or as though it has value. Florida law also prohibits what is referred to as "uttering." Uttering means that a person knowingly used a forged document as though it was legitimate.

Penalties for Forgery in Florida

If you have been charged with the crime of forgery, you could face serious penalties. Most forgery crimes are charged as third-degree felonies, which, according to Florida Statute §775.082, are punishable by up to five years in Florida state prison.

Florida forgery penalties include the following:

• Up to five years in prison
• Fines up to $5,000

Florida also considers selling counterfeit goods a form of forgery. It's illegal for someone to manufacture and sell counterfeit labels in Florida. Penalties for this crime start at one year in prison and up to a $1,000 fine. However, the penalty for counterfeiting labels can be more severe depending on the circumstances of the case.

Florida penalties for counterfeiting labels can be as severe as the following:

• Up to 30 years in prison
• Fines up to $10,000

Penalties like these have the potential to alter the course of a person's life.

What's the Difference Between Counterfeit & Forgery?

Counterfeiting was once only associated with forging legal tender; however, this crime has spread to counterfeiting other products, such as merchandise, documents, consumer goods, and government bonds. This involves imitating a logo, signature, or other elements of an object to pass them off as legitimate.

Some examples of counterfeiting may include the following :

• Counterfeiting private labels
• Forging signatures
• Counterfeiting bank documents, such as checks
• Counterfeiting legal tender (money)
• Counterfeiting medical documents
• Counterfeiting prescription slips
• Counterfeiting ID cards, such as driver's licenses

In general, counterfeit is the creation of imitations or copies of something with the intent of passing it off as the original. Forgery is the altering of genuine articles or documents to defraud another party. As a result, counterfeit and forgery are similar charges.

Call Our Forgery Defense Lawyers for Help Now

Forgery charges can be life-altering, leading to penalties that may include up to 5 years in prison and heavy fines. It is crucial that you speak with a skilled representative to determine the severity of your charges and to begin pursuing the results you need. After all, your career and your freedom may be on the line.

Our firm has been serving Tampa residents for over two decades. If we take your forgery case, you can be sure that we will put this experience to work for you. We offer a free case evaluation so that you may receive personalized legal advice and information regarding your charges without any commitment. 

Contact The Law Offices of Jeff Paulk now at (813) 321-7323 for your free consultation.