Forgery is charged in Fort Collins and Larimer County when a person fills out an official form with false information for the purpose of defrauding the person or agency receiving the form. A Colorado woman was recently charged with Forgery, along with Attempt to Influence a Public Servant, 1st Degree Perjury, and Possession of a Forged Instrument, after DHS opened a case against her. According to the news article, the woman had falsely filled out the income verification eligibility services forms. She then submitted these forms as evidence during a hearing, which is where the Attempt to Influence and Perjury charges came from. The report notes that the woman received over $10,000 in medical assistance due to the incorrectly reported income forms.
Larimer County Forgery Attorney: Definition of Forgery and Defrauding in Colorado
The Larimer County, Colorado law definition of Forgery – C.R.S. 18-5-102 – is:
(a) Part of an issue of money, stamps, securities, or other valuable instruments issued by a government or government agency; or
(b) Part of an issue of stock, bonds, or other instruments representing interests in or claims against a corporate or other organization or its property; or
(c) A deed, will, codicil, contract, assignment, commercial instrument, promissory note, check, or other instrument which does or may evidence, create, transfer, terminate, or otherwise affect a legal right, interest, obligation, or status; or
(d) A public record or an instrument filed or required by law to be filed or legally fileable in or with a public office or public servant; or
(e) A written instrument officially issued or created by a public office, public servant, or government agency; or
(f) Part of an issue of tokens, transfers, certificates, or other articles manufactured and designed for use in transportation fees upon public conveyances, or as symbols of value usable in place of money for the purchase of property or services available to the public for compensation; or
(g) Part of an issue of lottery tickets or shares designed for use in the lottery held pursuant to article 40 of title 44; or
(h) A document-making implement that may be used or is used in the production of a false identification document or in the production of another document-making implement to produce false identification documents.
Based on the information provided, the woman was likely charged under subsection (e), falsely completing a written instrument created by a government agency.
Sentence for Forgery or Defrauding a Government Agency in Loveland and Estes Park
In Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, Forgery is a class 5 felony. This level felony is punishable by 1 to 3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and $1,000 to $100,000 in fines.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Forgery, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best criminal defense attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 to schedule your free initial consultation. Together, we can protect your future.
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