University Place Forgery & Fraud

Defined as a nonviolent crime committed by means of deception for financial gain, white collar crime is becoming more and more prevalent with each passing year. Because the nature, scope, and execution of white collar crimes have evolved so dramatically in the past 20 years, the vast majority of people who are charged with this type of crime are not hardened criminals.

If you or a loved one are being investigated for or have been charged with a white collar crime, such as

• Embezzlement
• Bribery
• Blackmail
• Identity Theft
• Fraud
• Computer Crimes
• Forgery

You will need the help of an experienced University Place criminal defense attorney. Our team of legal professionals will use all of our resources and explore every possible option for defending you against the white collar crime charges you face in Pierce County. We will work with you to determine the best strategy and defend you aggressively in the legal process.

White collar crime investigations are long, complex, and far-reaching. An experienced University Place white collar crime lawyer can help you navigate this complex procedural maze. Our team of Pierce County legal professionals has designed this website to provide you with basic information about the most commonly charged white collar crimes in Pierce County, fraud and forgery. If you would like to speak to someone more in-depth about fraud, forgery, or other white collar crimes, please contact our University Place criminal defense attorneys. We offer a no-cost case evaluation for each prospective client.

Media coverage of the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme or the 2019 College application scam that saw a Desperate Housewife and a Full House alum thrown in jail can make white collar crime seem like a lofty offense for high-profile businesspersons and celebrities only. However, with the rapid growth of and dependence on technology, this type of crime is becoming more and more common among working-class people, especially in Washington state.

Some of the frequently charged fraud cases our University Place criminal law attorneys have defended include

• Check Fraud
• Insurance Fraud
• Unemployment Fraud
• Workers Compensation Fraud
• Welfare Fraud
• Credit Card Fraud
• Criminal Impersonation

In Pierce County, the most commonly charged fraud crime is criminal impersonation. There are two levels of criminal impersonation charges

1. Criminal Impersonation in the First Degree- Classified as a Class C Felony, this charge is punishable by up to 1 year in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. Washington State statute RCW 9A.60.040 defines Criminal Impersonation 1 as a person who “assumes a false identity and does an act in his or her assumed character with intent to defraud another or for any other unlawful purpose; or (b) Pretends to be a representative of some person or organization or a public servant and does an act in his or her pretended capacity with intent to defraud another or for any other unlawful purpose.” If you or a loved one has been charged with Criminal Impersonation 1 in University Place, you will need to appear at the Pierce County Superior Court, located in Tacoma.
2. Criminal Impersonation in the Second Degree- This charge involves a person pretending to be an officer of the law or falsely assumes the identity of a veteran or active duty military member with intent to defraud. An example of this charge would be a person pretending to be a veteran to gain the benefits of using the VA hospital. This charge is classified as a gross misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $5,000. Misdemeanors will be adjudicated at the Pierce County District Court, also located in Tacoma.

The sooner you get started on planning your defense, the better your chances will be at a favorable outcome. A fraud conviction could threaten your future with huge fines and possible jail time, so get started right away. Contact our firm to begin your free case evaluation.

Forgery usually involves deceiving another person to gain monetary benefit of some sort. However, the benefit may not always be dollars and cents. According to Washington State statute RCW 9A.60.020

1) A person is guilty of forgery if, with intent to injure or defraud:
(a) He or she falsely makes, completes, or alters a written instrument or;
(b) He or she possesses, utters, offers, disposes of, or puts off as true a written instrument which he or she knows to be forged.

To understand this law, you should know that for this definition a written instrument is any paper, contract, document, or other record containing written or printed matter or a device, token, stamp, seal, badge, trademark, or other symbol of value or identification.

A common example of forgery is presenting fake checks or creating fake documents to gain property. Now, with the advancements in the digital authentication process, a new form of forgery involves creating a duplicate or forged digital signature.

Because the evidence in these types of computer forgery crime is electronically recorded, these cases often involve a large number of documents and hundreds, or even thousands of pieces of evidence in the form of electronic records such as receipts, e-mails, instant messages, and other transactions. That’s why it’s imperative that you hire a Pierce County team of legal professionals who have the manpower to handle your defense.

If you face a forgery conviction in Pierce County, this charge is a Class C Felony which is punishable by up to five years in jail and/or a fine of up to $10,000. All felony cases are adjudicated at the Pierce County Superior Court, located in Tacoma.

Our team of University Place white collar criminal defense attorneys have successfully handled cases covering virtually every kind of forgery imaginable, including modified vehicle identification numbers (VINs), forged checks, falsifying bail bond documents and court orders, and placing a different photo on someone else’s identification card. If you have been charged with forgery in Pierce County, contact our firm today for a free consultation on your case.

If you or a loved one are being investigated for or have been charged with a white collar crime in Pierce County, there are several important things you should know

1. White collar criminal charges are usually the product of long and thorough investigations
2. As soon as you are aware of an investigation or impending arrest, contact a University Place criminal defense attorney.
3. White collar crimes require very specialized defense strategies due to the reams of paper that typically take front and center stage during a trial.
4. Never speak to the police without a lawyer present. Remember, the police and prosecution are not on your side.
5. Penalties for a conviction for fraud or forgery charges are very serious.
6. A successful defense against white collar criminal charges usually requires a team effort.

A white collar crime conviction can disrupt your life, remove your freedom, and have a lasting detrimental impact on your future. If you are being investigated for a white collar crime in University Place, be sure to contact a knowledgeable Pierce County white collar crime defense attorney as soon as possible.

To schedule a free case evaluation for your white collar criminal charge, contact our firm today.