I know that when it comes to an important election, sometimes you wish you were able to vote more than once in Fort Collins, Loveland, or Estes Park, to show support for your candidate. However, legally, you are only allowed one vote. A Colorado Springs woman is facing criminal charges for Forgery after it was discovered voting ballots under her deceased parents’ names and with signatures had been mailed in. The woman’s mother had passed away in 2009, but records show a ballot was mailed in under her name in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Her father, having died in 2008, showed a mail in ballot for at least a 2009 election. A CBS-4 Investigation prompted law enforcement in El Paso County to look into the case, and the woman was formally charged with six counts of Forgery.
Larimer County Voting Forgery Lawyer: What is the Definition of Forgery?
There are many subsections in the Forgery statute that describe the different circumstances under which a person can be charged with Forgery in Larimer, Boulder, and Grand County. The ones that related to this case are parts (d) and (e). The Colorado law definition of Forgery – C.R.S. 18-5-102 (1)(d) and (e) – is:
(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;
A voting ballot is a public instrument legally fileable with a public office and it is a written instrument created by a government agency, so both these subsections would apply.
Sentence for Voting Forgery Charges in Fort Collins
As a class 5 felony in Fort Collins and Larimer County, Forgery is punishable by 1 to 3 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections and up to $100,000 in fines. Forgery crimes are treated harshly in the State of Colorado, especially when the government is a victim. Don’t leave you future to chance. Call our trusted Forgery attorneys to schedule your free consultation today.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Forgery, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent and contact the best Fort Collins Forgery attorneys from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-658-0007 today. Together, we can protect your future.
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