What is needed to convict a person on forgery charges?

White-collar crimes are something the state of North Carolina takes very seriously. If charged with this type of crime, the way the accused handles his or her defense can mean the difference between being allowed to go home and spending years in prison. This is particularly true in forgery cases.

Forgery is loosely defined as a person passing off an imitation of something as the real thing for his or her own benefit. A few examples of forgery include copying art and selling it as original work, making fake documents and signing someone else’s name to a document without his or her authorization — among various others.

To prove that an individual committed forgery, prosecuting attorneys need to establish that certain elements exist. Element number one is actually to produce the item forged. Element number two is proof that the item is indeed forged. Finally, element number three is proof that the accused had the intent to defraud. Intent is the most important thing to focus on in forgery cases, as it can be difficult for prosecuting attorneys to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

Anyone facing forgery charges in North Carolina may face severe penalties if convicted, including incarceration and hefty fines. With a lot on the line, it is worth defending oneself in an effort to achieve a case dismissal or at least a reduction in charges. Legal counsel will have the ability to review the facts of the case, help plan an effective criminal defense and assist the client in attaining the best possible outcome.