Forgery & Fraud

Have you recently been accused of creating fake documents, impersonating someone for financial gain, or deceiving others through fraudulent means? If you have, you must understand that these crimes can result in substantial fines and lengthy prison sentences. Our criminal defense attorneys understand what is involved in these charges and are committed to protecting your rights and providing you with an aggressive and effective defense.

With decades of experience handling forgery and fraud cases in Washington state, we know that facing forgery and fraud charges can be overwhelming and stressful at the best of times, so we will use our years of experience to challenge the evidence that is being stacked against you. We can question the authenticity of documents or demonstrate a lack of intent and offer you our guidance every step of the way.

Under Washington state law, forgery and fraud are crimes involving the intentional misrepresentation of information with the intent to deceive or defraud others. Forgery generally involves altering or creating false documents, such as forging signatures or falsifying financial records.

Fraud, on the other hand, can encompass an even wider range of activities, from misrepresenting information in financial transactions to identity theft.

Both types of crimes can carry harsh penalties, including fines, restitution, and long prison sentences. Understanding these laws is essential for anyone facing such charges, which is why it's crucial to consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney who can explain your options and defend your rights.

Here’s a look at some of the specific statutes and laws related to forgery and fraud in Washington state:

• RCW 9A.60.020 - Forgery: According to this statute, a person commits forgery if they knowingly make, alter, possess, or use a document with the intent to defraud another person or an entity (like a business). This often involves creating false documents or forging signatures to deceive someone. If you are charged with forgery, you can face up to 5 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. If the charge involves checks or credit cards, these penalties can prove to be even more severe, especially if larger sums of money are involved.
• RCW 9A.60.040 - Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument: This law is aimed at those who possess forged documents or instruments with knowledge of their falsity and also have the intent to defraud or deceive another. This statute covers those who knowingly use these forged documents during financial transactions or other illegal activities. These convictions can also lead to up to 5 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. Repeat offenders can face much harsher sentences.
• RCW 9A.60.050 - Possession of Forged Papers: This statute makes it illegal to possess forged papers with the intent to defraud. It applies to those with documents like fake IDs and credit cards.
• RCW 9.35.020 - Identity Theft: This statute is more about identity theft and how it can collide with fraud-related crimes. It involves the unauthorized use or acquisition of someone's personal information for fraudulent purposes, including forging or altering documents in another’s name. It is considered a Class B felony and carries much harsher sentences than forgery or possession of forged papers charges. You can face up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000.
• RCW 9A.56.020 - Theft: This statute covers fraudulent activities that involve stealing money, property, or services from others, including different types of theft (shoplifting and embezzlement), which could involve forged or fraudulent transactions. Theft is also considered a Class B felony when the property is valued at $5,000 or more. This can lead to a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $20,000. A Class C theft felony, however, is for property valued at between $750 and $5,000 and is less severe. It involves imprisonment of up to 5 years and fines of up to $10,000.
• RCW 9A.84.040 - False Reporting: If someone falsely reports a crime or creates fraudulent statements with the intent to deceive another, it can be charged under this statute. This statute often overlaps with fraud charges, like when false claims are made so that someone benefits. If convicted, you can face up to 364 days in jail and fines of up to $5,000. However, this can escalate to felony charges in some cases, like if you made false reports to law enforcement agencies or courts.

These statutes cover all of the different aspects of forgery and fraud offenses you may be charged with, including creating, possessing, or using forged documents, identity theft, and deceptive practices aimed at financial gain. It’s important to consult an experienced criminal defense attorney who can fill you in on these laws and help you understand what they mean and how they might apply to your specific case and circumstances.

Washington state, especially in its more urban areas, experiences a lot of fraud and forgery. With so many financial institutions and businesses and an ever-growing population, you can see how some might engage in fraudulent and less-than-legal activities.

For instance, according to Washington’s Criminal Justice Data, financial crimes like forgery and fraud have been on the rise. The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions also has resources and reports on fraud prevention and detection you can review if you want to learn more about legal compliance and how these cases are handled in your state.

We believe that every fraud and forgery charge can be successfully challenged. However, we also know that you need the right defense strategy in place to accomplish this. Our criminal defense attorneys have handled a lot of forgery and fraud cases throughout Washington over the years and are committed to fighting for your rights.

If you or a loved one are facing forgery or fraud charges, seek legal help as soon as possible. A skilled criminal defense attorney can help analyze the evidence, identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s case against you, and help you achieve the best possible outcome.

We are experienced in handling these often complex financial crimes and can be aggressive advocates for your defense. Our goal is to secure a more favorable resolution for your case.

Being accused of forgery or fraud can impact you for the rest of your life. Aside from the immediate consequences, such as jail, fines, probation, and restitution, a crime of dishonesty conviction will impact your ability to obtain a job and even a place to live!

Fraud is essentially when a person makes false statements to obtain an asset illegally, such as credit, state benefits, or even a State ID. Forgery, instead, is making false statements in writing to obtain an asset illegally.

Laws related to fraud can be very complex, and the consequences can very. Normally, fraud laws are broken down into specific areas of focus, such as insurance fraud, welfare fraud, identity fraud, and consumer fraud, to name just a few.

The police and prosecutors will be busy preparing their case against you, so it is vital that you have someone on your side who will work just as diligently. The laws in these areas can be complex and the paper trail can be confusing, so it is important to have an attorney who can understand and explain your position clearly to the state, the court, and if necessary, the jury.

Call our office to speak with one of our Washington criminal defense attorneys about your current situation. We will be more than happy to provide you with a free consultation.