Forgery

The Ohio Revised Code states that forgery involves a person who “with purpose to defraud, or knowing that the person is facilitating a fraud, forges another person’s writing without their authority, forges any writing to make it appear genuine, forges an identification card, or sells a forged identification card.” The penalty if convicted of forgery range from fourth-degree felony to second-degree felony based on the value of what was lost by the victim and whether or not the victim was elderly or disabled.

Fifth Degree Felony
The value of the property or services or the loss to the victim is less than $7,500

Fourth Degree Felony
The value of the property or services or the loss to the victim is $7,500 or more but less than $150,000

OR

If the victim of the offense is an elderly person or disabled adult, and the value of the property or services or the loss to the victim is $1,000 or more but less than $7,500

Third Degree Felony
The value of the property or services or the loss to the victim is $150,000 or more

OR

If the victim of the offense is an elderly person or disabled adult, and the value of the property or services or the loss to the victim is $7,500 or more but less than $37,500

Second Degree Felony
If the victim of the offense is an elderly person or disabled adult, and the value of the property or services or the loss to the victim is $37,500 or more

Financial Crimes Penalties

Based on the classification of the financial crime you are accused of, you may be subject to the following sentence and/or penalty:

Fifth-Degree Felony
Maximum sentence of 12 months in prison and fine of up to $2,500

Fourth-Degree Felony
Maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and fine of up to $5,000

Third-Degree Felony
Maximum sentence of five years in prison and fine of up to $10,000

Second-Degree Felony
Maximum sentence of eight years in prison and fine of up to $15,000

Financial Crimes Defense Strategy

Not only can being convicted of a white collar crime lead to fines and prison time, but being charged – even falsely – can ruin your reputation. Time is not on your side when it comes to forming a defense strategy against being charged with a financial crime.

Common defense strategies include: a Constitutional rights violation, duress, entrapment, hearsay, illegal search and seizure, lack of evidence, misidentification, and no criminal intent. The success of your case depends on hiring the right team to fight for you – a team that truly understands how the prosecution will present your case and thoroughly dissect problem areas.

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