California Penal Code 470
Have you been charged with committing forgery? Violation of Penal Code 470 can be a serious felony or misdemeanor offense depending upon your case and the circumstances surrounding your alleged offense. At the Law Offices of Randy Collins, our Orange County fraud attorneys have assisted countless individuals facing health care fraud, insurance fraud, forgery, and many others. By taking advantage of a free case evaluation, you will be able to obtain valuable information that could help you avoid serious penalties.
Call (844) 285-9559 today to speak with one of our skilled legal professionals about your case.
What is CPC 470?
According to California Penal Code 470, forgery is defined as intentionally defrauded a document or the signature of someone else with the intention of committing fraud.
In order to prosecute for Forgery in Southern California, handling prosecutors will need to establish that you were guilty of:
- forging someone else’s signature without their permission
- changing or corrupting a legal document
- imitating or re-creating a legal document
- performing these actions with the intent of committing fraud
These documents can be money, court documents, a notarized document, a stock etc.
What are the Penalties for Forgery Offenses?
Those who commit forgery can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. Whether you face misdemeanor or felony charges will largely depend upon whether you have a criminal history as well as the specific circumstances surrounding your case.
The following are the maximum penalties that these offenders may face:
Misdemeanor
- Up to I Year in the Orange County Jail and a potential $1,000 maximum fine
Felony
- 16 Months – 4 Years in the California State Prison as well as a $10,000 fine
Other Potential Penalties:
If charged with a felony penal code violation, you may be subjected to pay restitution to the victims and also engage in community service. Many of those who commit this offense are charged with multiple offenses, such as robbery or identify theft, depending upon the defendant’s specific circumstances.
If you are facing forgery charges for Penal Code 470, speaking with a forgery lawyer may be in your best interest. By obtaining information at the outset of your case, you may be able to avoid common mistakes committed by others in your position. Call or fill out our contact form today to receive a free evaluation that can help you better understand your charges.