Raleigh Financial Crimes Attorney

Forgery and Uttering

Raleigh NC Forgery Attorney | Financial Crimes Lawyer Dewey Brinkley Law

Forgery and uttering are serious financial crimes in North Carolina punishable by years imprisonment and a lifetime of complications. Although most people understand what “forgery” is, few understand the latter aspect — “uttering.” Fortunately, this felony crime is easy to understand and involves two parts:

  • Forgery — the making of a false document, or the alteration of a true document to make it false, with the intent to injure or defraud
  • Uttering — the passing or publishing of a forged document with the intent to injure or defraud

As you can see, forgery and uttering are two sides of the same fraudulent sword. This financial crime involves the making of forged documents and then the use of forged documents, and if convicted of forgery and uttering, the defendant will be facing a felony punishable by years imprisonment. Fight against these charges with the leading financial crimes attorneys at Raleigh’s Law Office of Dewey P. Brinkley. For a free consultation with the criminal defense attorneys at Dewey Brinkley Law, call our law office today at (919) 832-0307.

What is Forgery and Uttering in North Carolina

There are several North Carolina laws governing forgery and uttering violations. In general, law enforcement will investigate and prosecute any suspected attempts or instances of falsified documents, securities, currency, wills, and so forth. For an action to be a forgery violation in North Carolina, a person creates, alters, or possesses counterfeit:

  • Financial instruments, including bank notes or other currency
  • Wills, deeds, leases, promissory notes, or any order for the payment of money or delivery of goods
  • Corporate stock, bonds, or other securities
  • Educational certificates, diplomas, licenses or other similar documents

The specific laws for forgery in North Carolina include Stat. §14-119, 14-121, 14-122, 14-124, 14-125.

So, the first part involves the creation of falsified documentations. The second part, uttering, occurs when a person attempts to cash, transfer, or otherwise use a forged item (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-120).

Contact the Law Office of Dewey P. Brinkley

Forgery and uttering in North Carolina is a felony, but the punishments generally depend on the type of forgery involved. For example, some of the different types and penalties for forgery include:

  • Forged instruments — Class I felony
  • Wills, deeds, leases, etc — Class H felony
  • Corporate securities — Class I felony
  • Educational certificates — Class 1 misdemeanor

Uttering, on the other hand, is a Class I felony. With the prospect of these serious penalties, you need to get the legal aid of a prominent Raleigh financial crimes attorney Dewey P. Brinkley.

We offer aggressive, full-service criminal defense services. To speak with Dewey Brinkley about your case, call us today at (919) 832-0307.