Simply, if you delete, alter or make a false entry in the business records of an enterprise and you do so with the intent to defraud, you have run afoul of the misdemeanor crime. If when you do so, you also have the intent to further or conceal another criminal offense, then you have committed the felony crime.
What are the three types of forgery? Three common types of forgery are signature forgery, art forgery, and document forgery. Each of these types of forgery involves different methods of creating or altering documents, signifiers, and objects with the intent to deceive.
Whoever commits forgery shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
Defenses Against Forgery Charges Lack of fraudulent intent — If you did not have the intention to defraud, you may have a valid defense to forgery charges. Document Lacks Legal Significance — To be considered forgery, the document in question must have some sort of legal importance.
A person is guilty of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree when, with knowledge that it is forged and with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, he utters or possesses any forged instrument of a kind specified in section 170.10.
The mid-level offense involving Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument is the Second Degree crime. A significant jump from the Third Degree offense, New York Penal Law 170.25 is a “D” felony. If a felony record is not serious enough, the crime is punishable by up to seven years in state prison.
Generally speaking, you are guilty of Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument, regardless of whether you are charged with NY PL 170.20, 170.25 or 170.30, if you possess a completed or modified written instrument you know is and you do so with the intent to defraud or deceive another.
If you are convicted you will face a possible sentence of 15 years in prison. What Is Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument? As a forgery lawyer in New York will explain, not only is it against the law to create or make a forged instrument, it is also against the law to knowingly possess a forged instrument.
Because criminal mischief in the second degree is a Class D felony, you could be sentenced to up to 7 years in state prison and face significant fines.
A person is guilty of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree when, with knowledge that it is forged and with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, he utters or possesses any forged instrument of a kind specified in section 170.10.