FORGERY CHARGES IN PITTSBURGH AND WESTERN PA

A person can be charged with and convicted of forgery for trying to defraud another person by altering a writing, creating and using fake writings, or presenting fake writings to another person. Under Title 18 Section 4101, a person is guilty of forgery if, with the intent to defraud or injury anyone, or with knowledge that a fraud or injury will be perpetrated by another person, the person:

  • Alters any writing of another without his or her permission or authority;
  • 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 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
  • Utters or presents a writing which is known to be forged or fake.

WHAT ARE EXAMPLES OF FORGERY

Through a combination of eyewitness testimony and documentation, there are many instances where a person could be charged with forgery, which may include:

  • Creating and using fake checks, credit cards or counterfeit money;
  • Signing or electronically signing another person's name on a document or form without permission or authorization;
  • Modifying a valid check issued by another person, such as adding an extra 0 to the balance, and cashing it
  • Taking a fake check, credit card or counterfeit bill from another person and using it;
  • Giving a fake check, credit card or counterfeit bill to another person to use;
  • Claiming a written item is real when it is fake, such as using a fake power of attorney to withdraw funds from a family member's account;
  • Writing fake prescriptions and calling them into local pharmacies to obtain narcotics;
  • Changing or creating company invoices or accounts to unlawfully receive extra income.

FORGERY PENALTIES

Forgery charges are severe in Pennsylvania, and are graded as follows:

  • 2nd-Degree Felony - Punishable by Up To 10 Years in Prison: For forging money, securities, postage, stocks, or government documents.
  • 3rd-Degree Felony - Punishable by Up to 7 Years in Prison: For forging legal documents, such as wills, deeds, contracts, releases, commercial instruments or other documents impacting legal relations
  • 1st Degree Misdemeanor - Punishable by Up to 5 Years in Prison: All other forgeries, including checks and money orders.

CALL ZUCKERMAN LAW FIRM TODAY IF YOU HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH OR QUESTIONED ABOUT A FORGERY

If you are being questioned about a forgery, do not talk to the police under any circumstances without a lawyer present. Call the Zuckerman Law Firm at 412-447-5580 immediately for a consultation.

If you have been charged with forgery, your best chance at avoiding a conviction and minimizing consequences is to hire an experienced white collar crimes attorney to represent you. Forgery allegations are serious, and can lead to jail time, a permanent criminal record, and future difficulties finding jobs.

As a former theft crimes prosecutor, Attorney Dave Zuckerman understands how forgery cases are built and how to mount the most effective defense to the allegations. Call the Zuckerman Law Firm today at 412-447-5580 to start building your defense.