Forgery and Uttering are very serious offenses in Florida that attract severe consequences. If you are being investigated for forgery and uttering, you may be facing steep fines and up to 5 years in prison. For a chance at a positive resolution, you will need a competent and experienced Criminal Defense lawyer in Miami Dade to mount a solid defense for you.

Forgery and Uttering under Florida law
Florida laws define forgery as the altering, forging or counterfeiting of any written document with the intent to harm or defraud another person. The types of written documents are specified in the state forgery statute. These include documents such as:

• A deal, will or testament
• A sales receipt for goods, property or money
• Airline tickets or train tickets or any ticket for transportation
• Any public record, court order, notary public or certificate

Uttering is considered a separate offense under Florida statutes. The offense is committed when a person knowingly offers as true; a false, forged or altered legal document knowing that the document was false. Also, the person must do this with the intent to harm or defraud another person.

It must be emphasized that the acts of forgery and uttering do not need to be committed before a charge can be brought. The fact that it was intended to make a forgery of a legal document to defraud someone else or pass of a false document as true can ground liability.

A person facing a charge of forgery and uttering in these circumstances will be a very real risk of being convicted and sentenced. A skilled South Florida criminal defense attorney will be able to critically assess the circumstances of your case to disprove intent or to show that the checks were not really in your possession.

Punishment
Forgery is classified as a third-degree felony in Florida. Uttering is also a third-degree felony. The punishment for these crimes is up to 5 years in prison, $5,000 fine or both.

If you are being investigated for forgery and uttering, the risk of your being found guilty is very high. To give yourself the best opportunity at a positive outcome, reach out to an expert criminal defense lawyer in Miami Dade today.