If you have been arrested for check forgery in New Jersey, you need to take the charge seriously. Penalties for this charge can include jail time and expensive fines. You also have to worry about what kind of effects a fraud charge might have on your personal and professional reputation. You should speak to an experienced Bergen County, New Jersey theft lawyer who is ready to help you defend yourself against such accusations.
Will I Go to Jail for Forging a Check?
Not necessarily, but it is a definite possibility. Check forgery is a type of fraud, and the state of New Jersey takes it seriously as a result. Jail time is common in cases like these, especially when your check forgery charges are upgraded to a felony.
Will the Amount of the Check Affect My Punishment?
What determines whether or not your check forgery is a penalty is often the amount of it. Smaller amounts carry lesser penalties and charges, but any kind of check forgery charge is still quite harsh.
These charges and their penalties tend to fall in certain monetary ranges. General guidelines for sentencing are:
- Less than $200 value of a bad check: This is a disorderly persons charge. You could go to jail for up to six months or face a fine of up to $1,000.
- $200-$1,000: Now this charge is a felony with up to 18 months of jail time and $10,000 in fines.
- $1,000-$75,000: Fraud in this range can result in a prison term between three and five years and a maximum fine of $15,000.
- More than $75,000: This can result in jail time of up to 10 years and fines of $150,000.
Will the Charge Stay on My Record?
One of the worst things about a forgery charge like this one is that it can continue to follow you long after you have paid your fines or served a jail sentence, This charge will pop up on background checks, so it can continue to affect your professional prospects or some personal dealings.
Do not let a check forgery charge affect your personal relationships or your ability to secure employment. Fight back against this charge with the help of an attorney.
How Can a Defense Attorney Help Me?
Fighting a check forgery charge on your own can be tough, but a defense attorney can do many things to help you with your case. They can:
- Point out weaknesses in the prosecution’s case
- Show that you had no intent to defraud anyone
- Help with the expungement of a charge
Contact a Theft Defense Lawyer
Even if the amount of money allegedly received from the fraud is small, a check forgery charge will always be serious. Contact the Law Office of E. Gregory M. Cannarozzi and ensure that you have a capable attorney fighting on your side. We will help you form an affirmative defense against these charges.