Forgery in Seattle

For over 20 years, our attorneys have been defending Seattle residents against forgery charges. Our team has a proven track record of protecting clients facing complex forgery allegations, from altered financial documents to accusations of counterfeit signatures. With experience in Western Washington Courts, we have the insight needed to craft strong forgery defense strategies. Over the years, we've built strong relationships with Seattle judges and prosecutors and know what arguments sway them.

When you're facing the serious consequences of a forgery charge, you need our local knowledge. Contact our Seattle law offices today to put our expertise to work for you.

What Does A Seattle Forgery Defense Attorney Do?

A Seattle forgery defense attorney provides legal representation for individuals accused of forging or altering documents, signatures, or items with the intent to defraud. Forgery cases in Washington, governed by state law, often involve complex legal issues and require specialized knowledge. A Seattle forgery defense attorney will begin by carefully reviewing the details of the allegations, including the type of document or item involved, the prosecution's claims about your intent, and the evidence they have against you. From there, we conduct a thorough investigation to examine the authenticity of the alleged forged items, interview witnesses, and consult forensic document experts when necessary to challenge the prosecution's case.

With a deep understanding of the local court system, our Seattle attorneys use their relationships with King County judges and prosecutors to navigate your case effectively. We work to negotiate with the prosecution to achieve favorable plea agreements or a reduction of your charges. If your case proceeds to trial, we'll defend you in the King County courtroom by fighting the prosecution's claims, undermining the validity of the evidence, and arguing your point of view. We won't just fight the charges. We fight the penalties, too. We'll argue for alternatives to conviction, like diversion programs or probation, to minimize penalties and protect your criminal record. Contact our Seattle forgery defense team to learn how we can help with your case.

How Are Forgery Cases Investigated In Seattle?

A combination of local and state authorities investigate forgery cases in Seattle, and sometimes federal authorities, depending on the specifics of the crime. The Seattle Police Department (SPD) handles inquiries about local incidents like forged checks or fraudulent documents. Larger or more complex cases may involve state-level investigators or federal agencies like the FBI, Secret Service, or Postal Inspection Service if the crime involves interstate or federal matters.

The SPD is often the first agency to respond to forgery allegations reported by local businesses, banks, or individuals. Their financial crimes unit investigates cases involving altered checks, counterfeit documents, or fake identification used within city limits.

• Initial Report: A business, bank, or individual reports the suspected forgery to SPD or a relevant agency. For financial crimes, banks often provide detailed transaction records and the forged document itself.
• Document Analysis: Forensic document examiners analyze handwriting, ink, paper, and digital signatures on the alleged forged documents. The goal is to determine if the document is genuine or falsified and to link it to the suspect.
• Digital Forensics: For digitally created forgeries, such as altered electronic documents or e-signatures, investigators review metadata, software logs, and communication trails to identify the origin of the forgery.
• Surveillance And Evidence Collection: The SPD may review security footage from businesses, ATMs, or public areas where the forged document was used. Investigators may also seize computers, printers, or other tools used to create the forgery.
• Interviews And Subpoenas: Law enforcement interviews witnesses, victims, and suspects to gather additional information. Investigators may issue subpoenas for bank records, email communications, or other documents tied to the alleged forgery.
• Collaboration Across Agencies: If the forgery involves large-scale financial fraud, federal agencies like the FBI or Secret Service may take over or collaborate with local authorities.

Forgery investigations in Seattle require a multi-faceted approach involving technical expertise and interagency cooperation. If you are under investigation, it's critical to have a knowledgeable Seattle forgery defense attorney who understands the process and can intervene early to protect your rights. Contact our Seattle law offices today to learn more.

What Does The Prosecution Have To Prove In A Forgery Case?

The prosecution must prove specific legal elements beyond a reasonable doubt under Washington state law. They will need to show the following to secure a conviction:

• Falsely Making, Altering, Or Using A Written Instrument: The prosecution must show that you created, altered, or knowingly used a document, signature, or item that is fake or fraudulent.
• Intent To Defraud: It must be proven that your actions were deliberate and intended to deceive, harm, or gain something unlawfully. Accidental errors or misunderstandings do not meet the standard for intent.
• Legal Or Financial Relevance of the Document: The forged item must have legal significance, such as checks, contracts, identification, or financial instruments. Forging a casual note or an irrelevant document would not typically qualify.
• Knowledge Of The Forgery: The prosecution must demonstrate that you knew the document was forged and used it anyway to deceive someone.

The King County prosecution must prove these beyond a reasonable doubt. Our skilled Seattle forgery defense lawyers can create that doubt.

Work With Seattle Defense Attorneys For Your Forgery Case

Seattle is a major financial hub. Areas like Downtown Seattle, South Lake Union, and Belltown are home to global tech companies, financial institutions, and law firms. Georgetown and SODO serve as centers for logistics and manufacturing, while Northgate is growing as a hub for healthcare and retail. Additionally, just across Lake Washington, Bellevue and Redmond host industries like cloud computing, biotechnology, and e-commerce.

With such an active business community, forgery cases are common. They often stem from misunderstandings of Washington state's complex regulations or errors in documentation. Whether your case involves alleged alterations to contracts, financial instruments, or business records, the penalties in Washington state are high. However, we firmly believe that every forgery charge can and should be challenged in King County Courts. Our Seattle-based legal team has the expertise and local knowledge to scrutinize the evidence, challenge the prosecution, and craft a strong defense. If you're facing forgery charges, contact us today. We're ready to fight for you.

Our Seattle Forgery Attorneys Will Fight to Have Your Charges Dismissed or Reduced

Forgery is a serious crime in Seattle, and it can damage your reputation and have a devastating effect on every aspect of your life. In Seattle forgery is a criminal charge for attempting to defraud a person or organization via altering or falsifying a written instrument, or putting it forth fully aware that it is forged. Seattle forgery covers a broad spectrum of crimes including embezzlement, identity theft, check or credit card fraud, altering medical prescriptions, and many others. A forgery conviction will also result in obtaining a criminal record, as it is a Class C felony.

If you’ve been charged with this crime you must remember that you have rights, and our Seattle forgery lawyers can help you protect them. The immediate effects of a Seattle forgery conviction include jail time and expensive fines, but the long term ramifications could make it hard to find employment or obtain a loan for a home or other purpose.

Jason S. Newcombe is an experienced litigator and part of a team of Seattle forgery attorneys who will aggressively fight to have your charges dismissed, reduced, or have the penalties mitigated. The law maintains that you are entitled to a legal defense, so you shouldn’t waste any time in getting started on your Seattle forgery case.

Our Seattle Forgery Lawyers Have the Experience to Properly Defend Your Interests

Just because you have been arrested and charged with Seattle forgery is no reason to give up your legal rights. The law is written to protect those rights, so you should talk to our qualified Seattle forgery attorneys before speaking to any law enforcement official.

Talking to your lawyer first makes sense, because it will prevent you from saying something about your Seattle forgery case that could be self incriminating. Our team of legal professionals will also conduct a thorough investigation of the facts and prevent any evidence that was unlawfully collected from being used to your detriment.

Building a defense is never easy – it takes hard work and the experience to know where to look. Our Seattle forgery lawyers have over three decades of combined experience, and will aggressively build the kind of defense that you deserve. Our goal is to resolve your Seattle forgery case to the best of our ability, always fighting to have the charges reduced or dismissed.

You will be treated with courtesy and respect, and if you’re worried about finances we can arrange a payment plan that suits your situation. This way, you can have quality representation at your Seattle forgery trial, and fully understand the process as it unfolds.

A Seattle forgery conviction can adversely affect the rest of your life. Contact us today for a private and confidential consultation about your forgery charges.