Experienced Defense Attorney in Forgery Charges
A forgery charge can begin with a check, signature, financial document, or other writing that investigators believe was altered or used without authorization. These cases are often more complicated than simply determining whether a document was false. An important question is whether prosecutors can show that the accused knew about the problem with the document and acted with the intent required for forgery.
At Odefey, Witte, Wall, & Villafranca, LLP, attorney Jordan G. Fries represents individuals facing forgery charges throughout Victoria, Port Lavaca, and surrounding South Texas communities. He approaches these cases by looking beyond the document itself to the transactions, communications, and relationships that explain how it was created or used.
Forgery allegations can involve traditional paper documents as well as financial and commercial transactions.
Common examples include:
One issue Jordan looks at closely is the difference between handling a questionable document and knowingly participating in a forgery. A document may ultimately prove to be unauthorized, but that does not by itself explain what the person who possessed or presented it knew at the time.
The consequences of a forgery conviction depend on the type of document involved and other circumstances surrounding the offense.
A conviction may result in:
A forgery conviction can be particularly damaging when a job or professional position involves handling money, financial records, or sensitive information.
Forgery cases often leave a paper and digital trail. Jordan examines bank records, checks, signatures, surveillance footage, text messages, emails, transaction histories, and witness statements to determine what they actually show about the accused person’s involvement and knowledge.
He also considers who created the document, who had access to the relevant accounts or information, and whether another person may have supplied or altered it. When several people participated in a transaction, determining who knew what—and when—can be more important than the forged document itself.
Forgery allegations can look convincing when investigators focus on a single check or transaction.
Jordan Fries looks at the larger sequence of events to determine whether the State can connect that document to knowing criminal conduct.
