Fraud / Bad Check / Forgery Cases

California criminal defense attorney Thomas Wallin defends forgery cases in California, so call for a free consultation at 1-866-857-5900.                                                               

• Forgery, under California Penal Code section § 470 is “the intent to defraud by signing the name of another person or by signing the name of a fictitious person or the intent to defraud, falsely make, alter, forge, or counterfeit, alter, pass or attempt to pass any check, bond, bank bill, note, cashier’s check, traveler’s check, money order or any driver’s license or identification card issued by a government agency. The act of forgery also includes writing a bad check, which means making, drawing, altering, or delivering any check or draft upon any bank or depository for the payment of money, knowing that there are insufficient funds.
• The consequence for a person accused of forgery can be imprisonment in the state prison or in the county jail for not more than one year. The District Attorney can file your case as either a felony or misdemeanor. The punishment is dependent upon the amount of money involved and whether you have any prior convictions of the same or theft-related offense. In most cases, if the total amount of the check does not exceed $200.00 and you have not been previously convicted of the same or theft-related crimes, the offense is only a misdemeanor and punishable for not more than one year.
• In bad check cases, you can be referred to the bad check diversion program, which usually occurs prior to any complaint being filed. You will be required to complete a class or classes as directed by the Direct Attorney, to pay full restitution to the victim, and to pay any collection fees, if specified. If given the opportunity to participate in the bad check diversion program and you successfully complete the requirements, no statement, or any information in connection with this matter shall be admissible in any action or proceeding. In other words, the bad check case will never be on your record.

California criminal defense attorney Thomas Wallin can help you get probation when you are facing state prison incarceration, and he can help you reduce your felony to a misdemeanor, along with helping you obtain alternatives to jail time such as Work Release Program, Community Service and Electronic Monitoring, so call today at 1-866-857-5900.

Contact us about your criminal defense matter!