Monmouth County Forgery Defense Lawyers
Also Serving Clients in Middlesex County and Across New Jersey
Criminal charges for forgery can leave you facing jail time. There are viable defenses available, but it often takes a good lawyer—one who is meticulous at investigating a case and vigorous in advocating for your interests—to fight those charges. The Law Offices of Carlos Diaz-Cobo has been here since 2006, winning good reviews for our efforts in defending people in Monmouth County, Middlesex County, and throughout New Jersey.
Attorney Carlos Diaz-Cobo, one of the few Latino lawyers in the criminal defense field, serves Spanish-speaking and English-speaking clients. He handles charges brought at both the state and federal levels. Above all, Attorney Diaz-Cobo and our dedicated staff believe in defendants—we know that law enforcement makes mistakes, that everyone has rights, and that everyone deserves a second chance. We do all we can to fight for your freedom and your reputation.
Call (848) 207-2709 or contact us online today to set up a free consultation.
Forgery Charges and Penalties in New Jersey
Under New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1), forgery is defined as the act of creating, altering, or using a document, writing, or instrument with the intent to deceive or defraud another person. Acts of forgery can encompass a wide range of behaviors, such as falsifying written documents or altering existing ones without proper authorization.
Jail time for convictions can range from 18 months to 10 years, depending on the circumstances and severity of the offense. Financial penalties may include fines that are as low as $1,500 or as high as $150,000.
However, the penalties extend far beyond the time served and the financial consequences, as serious as those are in their own right. A forgery conviction often leaves a lasting mark on a person’s criminal record, which can drastically affect their future. Convictions can hinder employment prospects, restrict access to housing opportunities, and tarnish one’s professional and personal reputation. The stigma associated with forgery can lead to crushed trust and significant difficulty rebuilding one's life even after serving one’s time.
Common Types of Forgery Cases
Forgery covers a broad range of alleged offenses. One of the most frequently encountered forms is check fraud, which involves altering, counterfeiting, or falsely signing checks to unlawfully access funds. Check fraud can target individuals, businesses, or financial institutions and is often associated with broader schemes of financial theft.
Another prevalent type of forgery is the creation or use of counterfeit documents. This can include fabricating banknotes, official identification documents, or diplomas to deceive others for financial or personal gain.
Additionally, signature falsification--wherein someone signs another person’s name on legal documents without consent--is a common forgery charge. This can occur in various situations, from property deeds to loan applications.
Forgery can involve tampering with legal instruments, such as wills, contracts, or deeds, or creating fraudulent endorsements on financial securities. Digital forgery, a growing concern with the rise of technology, includes altering electronic documents, forging email addresses, or replicating company logos for phishing scams.
When facing serious criminal charges, you need a relentless, trial-ready defense. As a Certified Criminal Trial Lawyer and award-winning attorney, Carlos Diaz-Cobo has the experience, reputation, and courtroom skill to fight for the best outcome in your case.
Common Defense Strategies
The defense strategy ultimately recommended by Attorney Diaz-Cobo will be based on the unique circumstances of your case. Speaking generally, however, there are some common approaches.
An important nuance in the law, one that may prove vital in a forgery defense strategy, is the intent to defraud. This distinguishes forgery from innocent mistakes, such as signing the wrong name on an informal agreement without malice or fraudulent purpose. To substantiate a forgery charge, the District Attorney’s office must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that an individual deliberately sought to gain something of value or cause harm to another party.
Thus, the defense strategy often starts with insisting that the prosecution proves intent. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. Furthermore, the proof of intent brought by the D.A.’s office must be beyond a reasonable doubt. That’s a very high threshold to meet, and we make certain the jury is aware of this.
