What is Forgery?

Forgery, is the intent to defraud by signing the name of another person or by signing the name of a fictitious person or the intent to defraud, falsely make, alter, forge, or counterfeit, utter, publishe, pass or attempt or offer to pass any check, bond, bank bill, note, cashier''s check, traveler''s check, money order or any driver''s license or identification card issued by a governmental agency.

Forgery also includes writing a bad check, which means making, drawing, uttering, or delivering any check or draft upon any bank or depository for the payment of money, knowing that there are insufficient funds.

What are the Consequences?

If you have been accused of forgery, your punishment can be imprisonment in the state prison or in the county jail for not more than one year. This means that the District Attorney can file your case as either a felony or misdemeanor.

The punishment is dependent upon the amount of money involved and whether you have any prior convictions of the same or theft-related offense. In most cases, if the total amount of the check does not exceed $200.00 and you have not been previously convicted of the same or theft-related crimes, the offense is only a misdemeanor and punishable for not more than one year.

In all forgery cases, it does not matter whether the victim actually suffered any monetary loss. It also does not matter that you later made payment of the check or other restitution to the victim.