Theft, Forgery, Fraud, and Other Crimes of Dishonesty
Crimes of dishonesty may not put anyone’s life at risk like violent crimes do, but they are still serious offenses that can be penalized with harsh and even life-changing penalties. At Feld Law Firm, we represent individuals whose futures and freedom are at stake.
We can fight for you if you have been charged with
- Theft
- Identity Theft
- Fraudulent Practices
- Money Laundering
- Credit Card Fraud
- Extortion
- Forgery
Aggressive Defense Strategies Tailored to Your Unique Case
Forgery is a serious fraudulent crime that comes with severe – potentially life-changing – penalties. It is in your best interest to keep a forgery conviction off your criminal record.
What Is Forgery?
Under Iowa law, it is forgery if a person intends to defraud another person or if the person has knowledge that a person is facilitating a fraud and
- Alters the writing of another without the other’s permission.
- Transfers or authorizes a writing so that it looks like it is an act of another.
- Utters/states a writing which the person knows to be forged in a manner specified above
- Possesses a writing in which a person knows to be forged
Is Forgery a Felony?
Understanding Forgery Charges
Depending on the circumstances of the alleged incident, forgery can either be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony.
Forgery is a class D felony when the writing is or is purported to be
- Part of an issue of money, securities, postage or revenue stamps, or other instruments issued by the government.
- Part of an issue of stock, bonds, credit-sale contracts, or claims against any property or enterprise.
- A check, draft, or other writing which ostensibly evidences an obligation of the person who has purportedly executed it or authorized its execution.
- A document prescribed by law for entry into evidence of authorized stay or employment in the United States
Handling Forgery Cases Effectively
There are usually two key issues in forgery cases
- Whether the person was authorized to sign the alleged victim’s name to the document
- Whether the person actually signed the alleged victim’s name to the document