If you have been arrested for forgery in Texas, the punishments can be quite severe. Apart from authorities arresting you, you will be facing very high fines and may even serve years in jail. Don’t jeopardize your future. ABC Bail Bonds can grant you a speedy release, and we are only a phone call away. Let us dive into the world of forgery, and how we can help you out.
What Is Forgery?
Forgery is a white-collar crime that generally refers to the making of a false writing with the intent to defraud. In order to be classified as this, the writing must have legal significance or be commonly relied on in business transactions. Some documents that may be forged include checks, contracts, wills, and negotiable instruments. Forgery doesn’t need to be handwritten, it also covers printing, typewriting, and engraving.
Common Examples
- Prescription forgery: forging a doctor’s signature with intent to get medicine or altering a prescription
- Signature forgery: falsely replicating someone else’s signature
- Art forgery: writing an artist’s name so the art appears original
- Federal forgery: this is the most prosecuted type and includes falsifying or altering immigration documents, military issue documents, government issued I.D.s, and identity theft
Other examples of forgery include preparing a false writing and signing it with another person’s name. Or, making a material alteration to a valid document already signed by the other person.
If you have committed any of these acts, you will be facing serious consequences in Texas.
This crime is more common today than ever. The internet and advancing technology has made forgery easier to commit. That said, authorities have cracked down on this crime too. Once you have committed the act, it’s going to be difficult to go unnoticed.
Classifications and Penalties
In Texas, authorities charge forgery as a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the item. Here are the three different types of classifications and their penalties:
- State jail felony: if the writing is a will, deed, mortgage, credit card, release, contract, check, security instrument or agreement, authorization to for payment of money or to debit a financial account, it is classified as this. It is punishable by 18 months to 2 years in jail and a fine up to $10,000.
- Felony of the third degree: The instrument is paper money, stocks, bonds, postage or revenue stamps, a government record, or an item issued by a state or national government. The judge can punish you with 2 to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
- Misdemeanor: Any instruments not listed in the two felony charges classify as Class A misdemeanors and are punishable by up to one year in jail and $4,000 in fines.
ABC Bail Bonds Has Your Back
You should not lose valuable time stuck behind bars. ABC Bail Bonds is only a call away. With just 10% of the bail amount, you can’t secure a bond with us. We will cover the rest of the bail and grant you a speedy release. From there, you can build up your defense system with an attorney, so you can be prepared for your trial.
