FORGERY DEFENSE ATTORNEY IN DALLAS, TEXAS

In 2018, more than 5,700 arrests were made for forgery misdemeanor and felony charges in Texas. In the same year, there were 2,876 forgery convictions. That means that you have roughly a 50/50 chance of being convicted if you have been charged with forgery.

Forgery is a specific type of fraud that covers a number of different categories involving everything from finances to prescription drugs to food stamps. Fines and penalties can be very steep, and a conviction can mean losing your home, your job, your family, and your freedom.

If you have been charged with forgery in Dallas, Texas or in the surrounding communities, it is imperative that you have an experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner. For more than 30 years, the Law Office of Thomas R. Cox has been defending clients charged with forgery offenses and would be proud to help you too.

DEFINING FORGERY IN TEXAS

Forgery is defined in Texas as any attempt to pass off any type of writing as an original produced by someone else with the intent to defraud or harm another person. “Writing” is broadly defined and can include:

• Any printed or recorded information, including a signature. This could include affixing a signature to a check, contract, sales receipt, real estate deed, or other document for which you have no authorization to sign.

• Money, coins, stamps, tokens, seals, credit cards, trademarks, and badges. This could be forging rare coins or stamps, designer trademarks on items not belonging to a designer, or forging an employee badge for entry where you are not authorized to go.

• Identification and symbols of value, right, or privilege. This could include forging items like a driver’s license or a membership card.

To put it simply, if you sign someone else’s name, make false entries, or alter times or places in an effort to pass off something as an original produced by someone else, you could be charged with forgery.

POSSIBLE LEGAL
DEFENSES FOR FORGERY

There are a few legal approaches that are commonly used to defend those charged with forgery, including proving mistaken identity or proving that the writing was not indeed forged. You may be able to prove that you didn’t intend to defraud anyone, or that you signed or produced something in good faith, even with someone else’s signature. And if you’re a minor, you may face lighter penalties for forgery due to your age.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES
FOR FORGERY IN TEXAS?

The penalties you may face if convicted of a forgery charge are steep. Even a Class A misdemeanor conviction can result in one year of jail time and a fine of up to $4,000.

If you’re convicted of forging a will, deed, credit card, bank check, contract, release, or authorization to debit a financial account, you could face up to 18 months to two years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

If you forged money, stocks, bonds, postage or revenue stamps, or any government document, you could be convicted of a third degree felony, a charge that is punishable by two to 10 years of prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Moreover, if you are charged with forging anything that defrauds an elderly person, that charge and the accompanying penalties can be elevated.

WORK WITH AN EXPERIENCED
FORGERY ATTORNEY IN DALLAS, TEXAS

Forgery is an extremely serious charge that Texas law doesn’t take lightly, and you shouldn’t either. If you’re facing charges of forgery, you need a knowledgeable and aggressive criminal defense attorney on your side. Forgery charges, whether misdemeanors or felonies, are not charges you should face without experienced legal representation on your side.

Attorney Tom Fox began his career in the prosecuting attorney’s office where he learned how the prosecution builds a case against those charged with crimes under Texas law. Now, he uses that knowledge to defend clients, making him a formidable defense attorney.