The Legal Dictionary defines forgery as a criminal act in which someone falsifies or fabricates writing, art, documents, or other objects with intention to deceive another person or entity. Forgery is a felony in all 50 states. In every state, the crime depends on what has been forged and the intent. Punishment is often left in the hands of the judge. 

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If you or a loved one has been charged with forgery, it is important that you consult with a criminal defense attorney. When working with our law firm, you will have an experienced attorney who will provide an aggressive representation so that you can have the best chance to get your case resolved. We offer free consultations to help you determine what your next steps need to be.

Forgery is considered or categorized as a Class 4 Felony in Arizona. If convicted of a Class 4 Felony, you could be facing between 18 months and 3 years in prison. Depending on the specific details of the case, there is a chance that the charge gets upgraded to a Class 3 Felony which would come with the potential prison sentence between 30 months and 7 years. Because of these heavy sentences, it is important to reach out to and consult with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Phoenix to get the best defense possible. 

Common acts of forgery include:

• Signature Forgery— falsely replicating someone else’s signature.

• Prescription Forgery— altering a prescription or forging a doctor’s signature or prescription with the intent to get medicine.

• Art Forgery— putting an artist’s name on an art so it appears as a genuine or original.

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Federal Forgery

Federal forgery is the most prosecuted type of forgery. Examples include falsifying or altering:

• Government issues I.D.s
• Identity theft
• Military issue documents
• Immigration documents