California Forgery Attorney

Forgery is defined as creating a false document, altering a document, or writing a false signature for the illegal benefit of the forger. This includes improperly filling in a blank document such as an automobile purchase contract over a buyer's signature with the terms being different from those agreed upon. Forgery may be classified as a wobbler, meaning it can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony.

California law dictates that any person who intends to defraud by signing another person's name, without his or her consent, is guilty of forgery. Anyone who, with the intent to defraud, counterfeits or forges the seal or handwriting of another person is guilty of forgery. Moreover, every person who intends to defraud by altering, corrupting, or falsifying any record of any will, codicil, conveyance, or other instrument, the record of which is by law evidence, or any record of any judgment of a court or the return of any officer to any process of any court, is guilty of forgery. The following forged items apply:

a) any check, bond, bank bill, or note. b) Cashier's check, traveler's check, money order, post note, or draft. c) any controller's warrant for the payment of money at the treasury, county order or warrant, or request for the payment of money, receipt for money or goods, bill of exchange, promissory note, order, or any assignment of any bond, writing obligatory, or other contract for money or other property, contract, due bill for payment of money or property, receipt for money or property, passage ticket or lottery ticket. d) Trading stamps. e) Power of attorney. f) Certificate of ownership or other document evidencing ownership of a vehicle or undocumented vessel. g) Any certificate of share, right, or interest in the stock of any corporation or association. h) The delivery of goods or chattels of any kind or for the delivery of any instrument of writing. i) Acquittance, release, or discharge of any debt, account, suit, action, demand, or any other thing, real or personal. j) Any transfer or assurance of money, certificate of shares of stock, goods, chattels, or other property whatsoever. k) Any letter of attorney, or other power to receive money, or to receive or transfer certificates of shares of stock or annuities. l) Let, lease, dispose of, alien, or convey any goods, chattels, lands, or tenements, or other estate, real or personal.

If you or a loved one was charged with forgery, you must contact Rizio & Nelson's skilled defense attorneys immediately.

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