Oak Brook Forgery Defense Attorney

Lawyers Assisting Clients Charged With Falsifying Documents or Signatures in DuPage County

White collar crimes involving theft or deceptive practices have received a great deal of attention in the media in recent years, and as a result, law enforcement officials are sure to treat these crimes very seriously. Investigations of alleged crimes involving forgery can be especially complex, and people who have been accused of forgery should be sure to retain a criminal defense attorney who can protect their rights and advise them of the steps they should take to avoid incriminating themselves.

At Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C., our attorneys provide aggressive, experienced defense in a wide variety of criminal cases. If you are facing charges of forgery, we can help you understand the nature of the charges, the possible consequences, and your best options for defense.

Illinois Forgery Laws

Under Illinois law (720 ILCS 5/17-3), forgery consists of making a false document or altering a document to falsify information with the intent of defrauding a person, organization, business, or financial institution. These types of crimes can include:

• Signing another person's name on a check, contract, or other legal document.
• Creating, possessing, or delivering a false ID, including a driver's license or passport.
• Creating false immigration documents.
• Using a falsified prescription to obtain medication.
• Creating or knowingly using fake currency (counterfeiting).
• Fraudulently altering the language of a contract, will, or other legal document.
• Using a person's PIN number or passwords to access their bank account and/or make financial transactions without their permission.
• Altering academic transcripts.
• Creating a false diploma, degree, or academic credentials (Illinois law provides an exception for false degrees which state "for novelty purposes only").

In most cases, forgery is a Class 3 felony, which carries a punishment of two to five years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000. In addition, a person convicted of forgery may be required to pay restitution to the people or institutions which they defrauded.

Contact a Lombard Criminal Defense Lawyer

Forgery is a serious crime that is likely to be zealously investigated and prosecuted by law enforcement. If you are under investigation for forgery, the attorneys of Kathryn L. Harry & Associates, P.C. can provide you with the representation you need, helping you understand the best way to respond to police investigators and working to reach an agreement with prosecutors that will minimize the consequences to your life. Contact an Elmhurst forgery defense lawyer at 630-472-9700 to schedule a free consultation. From our office in Oak Brook, we represent clients in Wheaton, Hinsdale, Westmont, Burr Ridge, Westchester, and throughout DuPage County and surrounding areas.