Founding Attorney
Are you facing accusations of forgery or counterfeiting in New York? These are serious charges with potentially life-changing consequences, so it pays to understand them and have a knowledgeable lawyer to defend you. Here’s what you need to know about the complex world of forgery and counterfeiting.
What Is Forgery?
Forgery involves making, changing, or using fake documents, signatures, or other items with the intention of tricking others into believing they’re real. The goal behind forgery is usually to gain something, like money or property, or to get out of certain responsibilities.
Forgery-related crimes in New York include the following:
- § 170.05 Forgery in the third degree: Making, changing, or completing any written instrument to trick or harm others is a class A misdemeanor.
- § 170.10 Forgery in the second degree: Making or altering important documents like deeds or prescriptions with the intent to deceive is a class D felony.
- § 170.15 Forgery in the first degree: The most serious form of forgery involves tampering with government-issued items like money or stocks and is a class C felony.
- § 170.20 Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree: Having a fake document and planning to use it to deceive is a class A misdemeanor.
- § 170.25 Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree: Holding a forged document mentioned in § 170.10 with bad intentions is a class D felony.
- § 170.30 Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the first degree: Having a forged item like government securities with the intent to use them deceitfully is a class C felony.
- § 170.40 Criminal possession of forgery devices: Creating or owning tools meant for forgery is a class D felony.
- § 170.45 Criminal simulation: Faking the age, origin, or authorship of any object to make it seem more valuable or authentic is a class A misdemeanor.
- § 170.47 Criminal possession of an anti-security item: Owning tools designed to bypass security measures is a class B misdemeanor.
- § 170.55 Unlawfully using slugs in the second degree: Using or having fake coins for insertion in coin machines is a class B misdemeanor.
- § 170.60 Unlawfully using slugs in the first degree: Producing or keeping fake coins that are potentially worth over $100 is a class E felony.
- § 170.65 Forgery of a vehicle identification number: Altering a car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) to deceive others is a class E felony.
- § 170.70 Illegal possession of a VIN: Having a falsified or stolen VIN is a class E felony.
- § 170.75 Fraudulent making of an electronic access device: Creating electronic access devices for fraudulent purposes is a class D felony.
What Is Counterfeiting?
Counterfeiting is when someone creates a copy of something, like money or designer goods, and tries to make it look like the real thing with the goal of tricking others into thinking it’s genuine.
New York counterfeiting laws prohibit the following actions:
- § 165.71 Trademark counterfeiting in the third degree: Making, selling, or possessing fake trademarked goods to trick or avoid legal sales rules is a class A misdemeanor.
- § 165.72 Trademark counterfeiting in the second degree: Making, selling, or possessing fake trademarked goods worth over $1,000 is a class E felony.
- § 165.73 Trademark counterfeiting in the first degree: It’s a Class C felony if the value of the counterfeit trademarked goods exceeds $100,000 dollars.
Penalties for Forgery and Counterfeiting Offenses in New York
New York’s penalties for forgery and counterfeiting offenses depend on how severe the crime is. Less serious cases, like third-degree forgery or counterfeiting, typically result in misdemeanor charges, which could mean several months or up to a year in jail. More serious offenses, where a lot of money is involved, or the fake items could cause considerable harm, can lead to felony charges. Felony convictions can result in several years in prison. Besides jail time, you might also have to pay fines and could end up with a criminal record that affects your life long after you’ve served your time.
Because the penalties for forgery and counterfeiting in New York can be so severe, having an experienced criminal defense lawyer is essential if you are facing these charges. A skilled lawyer knows the ins and outs of the legal system and can defend your rights effectively. They can argue for a lighter sentence or even get the charges reduced or dismissed. Without professional representation, you could end up facing the maximum penalties.
Contact a New York & Long Island Forgery and Counterfeiting Defense Lawyer Today
If you’re facing forgery or counterfeiting charges in New York, Michael A. Arbeit, P.C. is ready to stand by your side. We provide a free, confidential consultation to talk about your situation and explore ways to help you. Contact us now to get started.
Michael A. Arbeit, P.C. assists clients throughout Long Island including Nassau County, Suffolk County, Garden City, and New York, including Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Staten Island, and The Bronx.