Forgery

PITTSBURGH FORGERY DEFENSE ATTORNEY

HOW IS THE CRIME OF FORGERY DEFINED IN PENNSYLVANIA?
The crime of forgery has a very specific legal definition that involves more than what forgery is commonly thought to be. Section 4101 of the Crimes Code defines exactly what the crime of forgery is.

First, to be found guilty of forgery, the accused must be proved to have one of these criminal intents:

• The intent to defraud or injure; or
• Knowledge of facilitating a fraud or injury perpetrated by anyone

Second, in addition to one of the above intents, the accused must either—

• Alter any writing of another without their authority;
• Make, complete, execute, authenticate, issue, or transfer any writing so that it purports to be the act of another who did not authorize that act; or
• Utter any writing known to be forged in a manner specified above.

HOW SERIOUS IS FORGERY?
Forgery is a second-degree felony “if the writing is or purports to be part of an issue of money, securities, postage or revenue stamps, or other instruments issued by the government, or part of an issue of stock, bonds or other instruments representing interests in or claims against any property or enterprise.”

Forgery is a third-degree felony “if the writing is or purports to be a will, deed, contract, release, commercial instrument, or other document evidencing, creating, transferring, altering, terminating, or otherwise affecting legal relations.

Otherwise forgery is a first-degree misdemeanor.

WHAT IS THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS?
A prosecution for forgery must be commenced within five years after it is committed.