Under §470 of the 2010 California Penal Code, it is a criminal act to intentionally and knowingly defraud another by wrongfully signing the name of another person. Similarly, it is a crime to sign the name of a person that does not exist at all. It is also considered a crime to counterfeit the seal or handwriting of another, defraud the will of another or to falsely make checks, bonds and the like. Forgery also extends to several other deceitful actions used for the purpose of “tricking” another.
The penalties that are associated with forgery should not be taken lightly. According to §473, should a defendant be successfully convicted of this white collar crime, they will be facing penalties that include incarceration in state prison or up to a year of imprisonment in a county jail – the length of the jail time depending on the circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime.
If you have recently been criminally charged with forgery, you do not have a moment to lose. This type of crime is nothing to take lightly and can have life-altering consequences should a successful conviction be won. At Okabe and Haushalter, we recognize the stress that is associated with situations of this nature and we are therefore fully committed to helping our clients obtain the just outcome that they deserve.
Should you contact Okabe and Haushalter, you will be able to be confident knowing that you will have an experienced South Bay criminal defense lawyer on your side that is deeply committed to helping you obtain the just outcome that you truly deserve. We recognize what is on the line and we will stop at nothing in our efforts to help you fight the charges and protect your freedom. You, therefore, do not have a moment to lose. Call us today and we will review your case and help you to understand all of the legal options that you have available to you.
