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Forgery
Brick NJ Forgery Lawyer
A forgery offense arises when someone creates or alters a document in order to create the false impression that the item is genuine. When someone engages in deceptive conduct of this nature in Ocean County, they can face a felony offense at the Superior Court in Toms River. If you were charged with forgery in Brick, Toms River, Lacey, Stafford, Lakewood or elsewhere in Ocean County, the team of defense lawyers at Marshall & Bonus are prepared to assist you. Our former prosecutors and skilled attorneys on our staff have over 100 years of experience and includes several former prosecutors, even from Ocean County. You can speak to a lawyer anytime 24/7 by calling (732) 286-6500. The initial consultation with an attorney is always without charge so do not hesitate to contact us if you need representation.
Forgery Charge in Ocean County
The offense of forgery is set forth at N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1 of the New Jersey Criminal Code. An individual commits this charge if, “with purpose to defraud or injure anyone, or with knowledge that he is facilitating a fraud or injury to be perpetrated by anyone”, they engage in one of the following:
- Alters or changes any writing of another without his authorization;
- Makes, completes, executes, authenticates, issues or transfers any writing so that it purports to be the act of another who did not authorize that act or of a fictitious person, or to have been executed at a time or place or in a numbered sequence other than was in fact the case, or to be a copy of an original when no such original existed; or
- Utters any writing which he knows to be forged in a manner specified in paragraph (1) or (2).
There are three elements that must be established beyond reasonable doubt in order to prove a forgery offense. The accused must have: (1) possessed the purpose or intent to defraud; (2) through presentation of a writing; and (3) that was altered without consent or was completed, executed, authenticated, issued or transferred fraudulently or uttered with knowledge of the alteration or falsity.
Grading & Penalties for Forgery
| Type of Forgery | Degree | Max Fine | Imprisonment |
| Forged government document, prescription blank, stock, bond, instrument representing an interest or claim against any property or enterprise, or personal identifying information or access device. | Third Degree | $15,000 | Up to 5 Years |
| Forged check | Third Degree | $15,000 | Up to 5 Years |
| 15 or more forged or altered retail sales receipts or universal product code labels. | Third Degree | $15,000 | Up to 5 Years |
| Possession of forgery equipment or devices. | Third Degree | $15,000 | Up to 5 Years |
| All other cases involving forgery. | Fourth Degree | $10,000 | Up to 18 Mths |
Stafford NJ Forgery Defense Lawyer
Although forgery is obviously a serious offense since it is always a felony that carries the potential for a state prison term, our lawyers are frequently successful in avoiding a conviction on this charge. Our well respected team of seasoned defense attorneys aggressively defend every client we represent so that charges are downgraded or dropped altogether. Whether you were arrested in Berkeley, Point Pleasant, Little Egg Harbor, Manchester, Jackson or another municipality, an attorney with the capability to thoroughly serve your interests is ready to represent you at Marshall & Bonus. Call (732) 286-6500 to speak to a lawyer without obligation.