Being charged with a forgery crime is pretty serious – you could be facing jail time, huge fines, and a permanent mark on your criminal record that potential employers, landlords and others can see. That can lead to a rough future, because employers and landlords are less likely to trust someone who’s been convicted of a forgery crime.
So what should you do if you’re charged with a forgery crime in Milwaukee or Waukesha? First, you need to know what constitutes a forgery crime; then, you can make a plan to work toward the best possible outcome. For many people, that includes working with a forgery defense attorney.
What Are Forgery Crimes in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin laws define forgery as having the intent to defraud (trick) or injure someone by altering a writing or object. That can include:
- Forging a check
- Uttering a forgery
- Possession of a forged writing with intent to utter
- Falsifying corporate records
- Obtaining a signature by fraud
Forgery is a Class H felony, so you could have to serve up to 3 years in prison and up to 3 years of extended supervision after prison. A judge can also order you to pay a fine of up to $10,000.
What if You’re Accused of Forgery?
If you’re accused of forgery, your best bet may be to talk to an attorney who will explain your rights and talk to you about the potential outcomes of your case. No lawyer can guarantee a certain outcome, but yours should be able to tell you, based on his or her experience and knowledge of the law, what could happen. Your attorney will also examine the evidence the prosecution has against you to find out how strong the state’s case is, and he or she will build you a defense that gets you the best possible outcome.
If you’ve been accused of forgery, no matter what kind, we might be able to help you. Call us at 414-383-6700 (Milwaukee) for a free fraud case review today.
