Forgery and Fraud Attorney in Fort Collins, Colorado

Have you charged with forgery and fraud in Fort Collins? Contact an experienced Larimer County criminal defense attorney for a FREE consultation.
Forgery in Larimer County, C.R.S. 18-5-102, is a class five felony.  This crime usually involves the intent to defraud someone -whether the police, government generally, a business, or a private citizen.  While similar in many respects to Criminal Impersonation, C.R.S. 18-5-113, and Theft – C.R.S. 18-4-401, Forgery involves pretending to be another person within some type of written document. Many times, Identity Theft is charged in these cases.  This crime is also referred to as a type of Fraud.

What is Forgery and Fraud in Fort Collins?

More precisely, Forgery is defined in Fort Collins, Loveland or Windsor, as the:

  • Effort or intent, by a person to defraud another, when the accused “falsely makes, completes, alters, or utters a written instrument which is of value.”  Items classified as “valuable” include money, securities, bonds, stock, wills, contracts, deeds, checks, promissory notes (loans), a publicly recorded document, or an official government document (like a ticket or summons, which usually involves police).

This Larimer County Forgery statute is intended prevent people from tricking others out of their valuable property, whether personal property or real property.  It also seeks to prevent escape from criminal responsibility from conduct, such as when a driver of a car pretends to be another.  Because the government normally receives and records property ownership documents like deeds, loans and wills, all documents filed with agencies like the clerk and recorder need to be reliable.  Criminal records and court documents must be accurate.  Whether at the county, state or federal level, Forgery is charged when false representations are made concerning property ownership, property encumbrance, or other important records.

What is the Sentence for Forgery and Fraud in Fort Collins?

This class 5 felony is punishable by imprisonment in the Colorado Department of Corrections for:

  • A presumptive term between one year and eighteen months.
  • Under exceptional circumstances, a judge can increase the prison sentence to a maximum of three years.
  • In addition to a prison sentence to the Department of Corrections, the court can give a Community Corrections sentence, a county jail sentence of up to ninety days, a jail work release sentence up to two years, or a probation sentence.

Why You Need an Experienced Forgery and Fraud Defense Attorney

There are several factors which influence what sentence the court will impose for a Forgery conviction for conduct occurring in Fort Collins, Loveland and Estes Park, so it is best to consult with a criminal defense attorney.Forgery cases can usually involve complicated proof issues, defenses, and strategies for sentencing. We have experience working with the Larimer County District Attorney, and we have a thorough understanding of Colorado law. Don’t stand alone in the courtroom – have an attorney at your side to fight on your behalf.

If you have been contacted by police or think they might be seeking you, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and call the experienced criminal defense attorneys at the O’Malley Law Office, P.C., at 970-658-0007, or submit the “Get Help Now” form.  Together, we can protect your future.

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