Forgery in Bellevue

Forgery charges in Washington state are serious and carry severe penalties. However, we understand these charges often arise from misunderstandings, errors in judgment, and false accusations. At our Bellevue office, our criminal defense attorneys have been successfully defending your neighbors against forgery charges for over 20 years. Through our decades of successful legal battles, we've developed proven defense strategies tailored to King County Courts. We'll fight the charges and use our knowledge of Washington state law to get them reduced or dismissed.

Our criminal defense attorneys are ready to take on your case. Reach out to our Bellevue legal team for a free consultation today.

How Our Bellevue Attorneys Help You

Our local experience and relationships in the King County Court system give our attorneys a distinct advantage. Here's how we can help you:

• Challenge Any Evidence Against You: We'll thoroughly examine all the evidence to ensure it's accurate and legally obtained, looking for any weaknesses or flaws in the prosecution's case.
• Dispute "Intent": Forgery requires the intent to defraud, and we can argue that there was no intent on your part to deceive or commit fraud.
• Provide Expert Testimony: We may bring in experts to challenge the validity of the documents or signatures involved in your case.
• Negotiate For A Reduced Charge: If the evidence is strong, we can negotiate with the prosecution for reduced charges or alternative sentencing like probation or community service.
• Develop A Strong Defense Strategy: We can demonstrate a lack of knowledge, mistaken identity, or other winning defenses.

Our Bellevue criminal defense attorneys specializing in forgery will be by your side at every step of your case. We'll make sure that your future is protected.

Criminal Impersonation Versus Forgery In Washington State

While criminal impersonation and forgery in Washington state are both crimes involving deceit, they differ in the manner and intent behind the offense. Criminal impersonation is when someone pretends to be another person with the intent to defraud or deceive others. Forgery, on the other hand, is when you falsify documents, signatures, or other written instruments to deceive others or gain an unlawful benefit. Examples of forgery include:

• Signing a person's name on a check or legal document without their permission
• Altering a legal document such as a will or a deed without authorization
• Creating fake identification cards or documents
• Falsifying records like business or financial records to deceive or commit fraud
• Copying someone else's signature with the intent to deceive
• Modifying or making up a financial instrument, like a bond or stock certificate
• Counterfeiting money or creating fake currency

What Are The Penalties For Criminal Forgery In Washington State?

The penalties for criminal forgery in Washington state depend on the circumstances of the crime, the type of document forged, and the severity of the offense. Here are the penalties you could face with a conviction:

• Class C Felony: Typically, forgery is a Class C felony in Washington.
• Jail Time: Up to 5 years in prison
• Fines: Up to $10,000
• Probation: Probation may be ordered, along with mandatory restitution (payment of any damages caused by the forgery).
• Community Service: Courts may impose community service hours as part of sentencing.
• Criminal Record: A permanent criminal record that negatively impacts future employment, housing, and personal relationships

Our skilled Bellevue defense attorneys will fight both the charges and the penalties in court.

Defending Against Criminal Forgery Charges In King County

If you've been charged with criminal forgery in King County, our legal team will explore several defenses to challenge the prosecution's case. Here are some that we will consider:

• Lack Of Intent To Defraud: Forgery requires the intent to deceive or defraud. If you can show that there was no intent to commit fraud or financial gain, the court may reduce or dismiss the charges.
• Mistake Or Accident: If the alleged forgery was a result of a mistake or misunderstanding, we may argue that you did not intentionally forge documents or signatures.
• Involuntary Actions: If someone coerced or forced you into committing the act, this could serve as a defense, showing that you were not acting voluntarily.
• Forgery Was Not Committed: We may challenge the evidence, such as showing that the documents were not forged or altered or that they were legally valid at the time.
• Invalid Or Improper Charges: We may argue that the charge of forgery is not valid due to improper legal procedures, such as improper documentation, failure to meet the legal elements, or lack of sufficient evidence.
• Lack Of Knowledge: If you didn't know that the document was forged or altered, our attorneys could argue that you should not be held responsible for a crime you didn't knowingly commit.
• Alibi: If you can provide evidence that you were not present when the alleged forgery occurred, we may be able to disprove the accusation.

Our Bellevue forgery defense lawyers will carefully analyze the facts of your case. Then, we'll determine the defense strategy to minimize the impact of the charges.

Bellevue's Forgery Defense Attorneys Are On The Case

Our law office is here in Bellevue, and we're proud to be part of this amazing community. Whether we're enjoying the annual Bellevue Arts Museum Arts Fair, taking in the stunning views at Lake Washington or Meydenbauer Bay Park, or shopping at Bellevue Square or The Bravern, you'll see our Bellevue criminal defense attorneys around town. We love spending time at local restaurants like Purple Café and Wine Bar, hiking the trails of Mercer Slough Nature Park, attending the Bellevue Jazz & Blues Festival, and doing family-friendly activities at KidsQuest Museum.

We believe that every forgery charge can be successfully challenged, no matter the complexity. With over 20 years of experience handling Bellevue criminal cases, we know how to get a possible positive outcome at King County Courts. Our Bellevue law office has a proven track record of success in challenging forgery charges and protecting our clients from unjust convictions. Don't wait. Call us now for a free consultation.

Get Professional Legal Guidance From Our Bellevue Forgery Attorneys

Forgery is a serious crime, and the punishments associated with a conviction in Bellevue can destroy your reputation and significantly alter your life. Forgery is defined as attempting to defraud a person, business, or organization by falsifying or putting forth a written instrument while aware that it was forged. Bellevue forgery cases cover a number of crimes that include identity theft, credit card or check fraud, prescriptions, and embezzlement, among others. Forgery is classified as a Class C felony in Washington, which means that a conviction incurs a criminal record.

If you've been charged with any of these crimes, our Bellevue forgery lawyers will protect your rights while defending your interests. The penalties resulting from a Bellevue forgery conviction often include jail time, expensive fines, and may even make it hard for you to find a job or obtain loan for a home.

At the Law Office of Jason S. Newcombe, our Bellevue forgery attorneys protect clients by seeking the dismissal of their charges. If this proves impossible, our professional litigators will work diligently to mitigate the penalties associated with a conviction. Washington State law guarantees your right to defend yourself against these charges, so contact our law office today and go over the details of your forgery case with one of our lawyers.

Our Bellevue Forgery Lawyers Offer A Cost-Free Case Evaluation

After being charged with forgery in Bellevue, you should take a proactive stance to defend your legal rights. You may feel immobilized from worry, but you can start getting answers by speaking with our Bellevue forgery attorneys.

It's also vital that you seek out professional legal counsel before you speak to anyone in law enforcement, or the prosecutor in your case. Legal advice from our forgery lawyers may prevent you from saying something that could be construed as incriminating by the court. Your lawyer will also investigate your case while fighting to prevent any illegally obtained evidence from being used by the prosecution.

Building your defense won't be easy, but our Bellevue forgery lawyers have more than 3 decades of collective experience and know how to approach these difficult cases. Your attorney will work diligently to resolve your Bellevue forgery case in a timely manner so that you can move forward with your life.

Your forgery attorney will treat you with kindness and courtesy, and always tell you what you need to hear even when it isn't the best news. If you're worried about how much a lawyer will cost, we can work out a convenient payment plan to suit your budget. Benefit from experienced legal representation as you navigate the complicated legal waters of a Bellevue forgery case. An Bellevue forgery conviction is serious business, so contact our Washington law office today for a private case evaluation.