In Illinois, forgery is a form of white-collar crime that occurs when an individual deliberately signs a document falsely or introduces a fraudulent document with the intent to defraud or deceive the other party. In Illinois, forgery is a serious offense that is punishable by imprisonment and significant fines. Therefore, if you are facing forgery charges in Illinois, you should call a criminal defense attorney sooner rather than later to ensure you understand what you are being charged with and what options you have available to you.
Types of Forgery to Be Aware Of
If there is one thing to know about forgery, it is a crime that can come in all shapes and sizes. For example, forgery may include creating or altering public documents, falsifying identification documents, or creating and issuing checks using someone else's accounts. Other forms of forgery include the use of digital signatures and symbols or electronic data like computer programs or files.
Penalties for Forgery in Illinois
The penalties for forgery are not to be taken lightly. Considered a Class 3 felony, those convicted of forgery can be sentenced to two to five years in jail, with a maximum fine of up to $25,000. Furthermore, someone convicted of forgery may be required to pay restitution to whoever was negatively impacted by the forgery.
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