Forgery happens when someone fakes a signature, falsifies documents or changes existing documents without the necessary authorization. Although laws regarding white collar crimes might vary, all states, including Michigan, treat forgery a serious matter. Depending on the unique circumstances of each case, those accused can face misdemeanor or felony charges.
The three most frequently committed types of forgery include signature, prescription and art forgery. The first involves the false replication of the signature of another person., and prescription forgery happens when a doctor’s signature is forged. It can also include the changing of an existing prescription or creating an entire fake prescription with a forged signature and using that prescription to obtain medications.
When it comes to forging art, it could involve adding the name of a known artist to an art piece to create the impression of an original, valuable item. However, it only becomes a crime once the person offers that art piece for sale as an original, authentic piece. If the person who adds the name and displays the art in his or her home as a genuine article, it is no more than trickery and does not constitute a crime of forgery.
Anyone in Michigan who is accused of forgery can retain the services of an experienced white collar crimes attorney to protect his or her rights. Legal counsel can determine whether the alleged forgery was committed with the intent to commit larceny or fraud, or deceive another party, or whether there was an attempt to do that. Only if those criteria exist can there be criminal charges filed, and the lawyer can work to get charges dismissed or reduced.