Forgery and Fraud in Olympia

Forgery or fraud charges in Washington state come with steep consequences. For this reason, you must have an experienced defense team on your side. We understand the complexities of both state and federal fraud laws and have over 20 years of experience defending clients against these serious charges. Whether law enforcement accuses you of forging documents, committing credit card fraud, or engaging in a deceptive business practice, we can challenge the prosecution's evidence and fight your charges.

When you hire our Olympia legal team, you're getting skilled representation and all the benefits that come with it, including:

• Deep Knowledge Of Forgery And Fraud Laws: Our attorneys understand the ins and outs of forgery and fraud laws in Washington state, particularly how they are enforced in Olympia courts.
• Defense Built For Your Case: We tailor our defense to your situation, whether it's disputing the evidence, attacking the prosecution's arguments, or negotiating a favorable plea deal.
• Proven Results: Our attorneys have over twenty years of experience securing favorable verdicts, dismissals, reduced charges, and favorable plea deals for our clients in the Olympia area.
• Relentless Legal Representation: Our team is committed to challenging every aspect of the prosecution's case, using legal motions, cross-examinations, and other strategies to protect your rights.
• Focused On You: Our Olympia defense attorneys listen, support, and guide you through every step of the legal process with clear communication and personalized attention.

In Olympia, a conviction for forgery or fraud has serious consequences. With our legal experience, we will work to reduce penalties and protect your future.

Forgery is intentionally creating, altering, or using a written document or instrument with the intent to defraud. It encompasses actions like signing someone else's name, falsifying checks, or creating fake IDs. The key legal element of forgery is the falsification of documents or instruments to deceive others.

On the other hand, fraud is a broader category where a person intentionally deceives someone to gain something of value, like money or property. Fraud includes misrepresentation, false promises, or concealing material facts to trick another party into making a financial decision. While forgery is often a form of fraud, fraud can take many other forms, such as insurance fraud or credit card fraud, and doesn't necessarily require the falsification of documents. In short, all forgeries are a type of fraud, but not all fraud involves forgery.

Forgery in Washington state is a serious crime, and a conviction can lead to significant legal consequences, including prison time and fines. You can face forgery charges for:

• Signing another person's name on a check or contract
• Creating fake identification documents (e.g., driver's license, passport)
• Altering a legal document, such as a will or deed, to change the terms
• Falsifying a prescription or medical record
• Using a counterfeit or altered check or credit card

Fraud in Washington state includes a wide range of activities that break both state and federal laws. A fraud conviction is very serious. You can face charges for:

• Intentionally misrepresenting income or assets on a loan or credit application
• Providing false information to an insurance company to collect benefits
• Conning someone into investing in a fake business or financial scheme
• Concealing material facts in a real estate transaction, such as failing to disclose property defects
• Engaging in identity theft to obtain credit or services under another person's name

While both forgery and fraud are crimes of dishonesty, they differ significantly in intent, purpose, and action. However, both charges carry serious penalties in Thurston County Courts.

In Washington state, both forgery and fraud are serious crimes with significant penalties:

The Penalties For Forgery In Washington state:

Forgery is a Class C felony in Washington, which is the least serious felony classification. It still carries significant penalties, including:

• Up to 5 years in prison
• Up to $10,000 in fines
• Restitution to the victim(s) for any financial losses caused by the forged document or instrument
• Permanent criminal record

The Penalties For Fraud In Washington state:

Fraud is also a Class C felony in Washington with penalties such as:

• Up to 5 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines
• Court-ordered restitution to the victim(s) for financial losses resulting from fraudulent activity
• If fraud involves more severe conduct (such as large-scale fraud or targeting vulnerable individuals), it can lead to harsher penalties, including longer prison sentences and larger fines.

Both forgery and fraud convictions can also lead to long-term civil consequences. Convictions for forgery and fraud make things like finding employment and securing housing or loans nearly impossible. Additionally, depending on the severity of the fraud or forgery, you may be subject to further civil lawsuits for damages. If you are facing charges for either crime, you need an experienced Olympia defense attorney by your side.

Olympia has a booming economy driven by key industries such as government, healthcare, and technology. The city also boasts some of Washington state's busiest business districts like Downtown Olympia, the West Bay Business District, and the Capitol Way Corridor, making it a local hub for financial activity. With so much commerce happening, it's no surprise that fraud and forgery charges are common.

As white-collar defense attorneys specializing in defending clients against fraud and forgery charges, we know what works in local Thurston County courts and with Olympia judges, and we use that knowledge to challenge your charges. Count on us to scrutinize the legitimacy of the prosecution's evidence and fight for leniency to protect your future.

We firmly believe that all fraud and forgery should be challenged in Thurston County Courts. We know how. Call our Olympia defense attorneys now to discuss how we can defend your case and minimize its impact on your life.

There are numerous different types of fraud and forgery charges. Each type is typically focused on a certain area of commerce. Whether you are facing an insurance fraud, consumer fraud, identity fraud, welfare fraud, or something else, it is absolutely vital that you fight to protect your rights. In addition to jail, fines, restitution, and probation, a criminal conviction for a crime of dishonesty will impact your ability to get a job and in some instances, even a place to live.

In general, “fraud” is when an individual makes a false statement to illegally obtain assets. “Assets” include money, state benefits, and even credit. A cousin to “fraud” is “forgery” which is when you make the false statement in writing in order to obtain those assets illegally.

Fraud and forgery charges can be very complex so it is extremely important to hire someone who has the ability to properly investigate and fight for your rights. If you have questions about your current situation, do not hesitate to give us a call for a free consultation.