New Jersey Forgery & Fraud Defense Lawyers

Protecting Your Rights & Fighting for Your Freedom

Under the law, forgery is a fourth-degree crime unless it falls under one of the listed examples. The most common third-degree examples include forged money, checks, and food stamps. Possessing the instruments, tools, devices, etc. which are used for creating forged items is a separate third-degree crime. A person is guilty of forgery if, with purpose to injure or defraud someone, or they know that they are facilitating an injury or fraud by someone, the person:

• Changes or alters a writing by somebody else without authorization;
• Transfers, issues, authenticates, executes, completes, or makes any writing so that it appears to be the act of somebody else who did not authorize the act; or
• Utilizes any writing that they are aware is forged.

Selling Fake IDs in New Jersey

Under the law, it is a second-degree crime to sell any fake government-issued identification which can be used to verify a person’s identity or age. This includes driver’s licenses, passports, and birth certificates.

Possessing and Using Fake ID

Merely possessing a fake ID is a fourth-degree crime unless the possession of the fake ID was for the purpose of buying tobacco or alcohol, in which case it is usually charged as a disorderly persons offense. Using a fake ID is a third-degree crime except when the fake ID is used to buy tobacco or alcohol, in which case it is a usually charged as a disorderly persons offense.

Convictions for forgery carry, in addition to the normal fines and penalties, a mandatory loss of driving privileges between six months and two years.

Healthcare Claims Fraud

If you are a professional accused of making false or misleading claims submitted for repayment for healthcare services, there are a host of state and federal statutes you may be charged under. In New Jersey, this is considered a second-degree crime and the convicted person is subject to up to five times the amount illegally gained. In addition, the professional is at risk of losing their license to practice permanently.

Insurance Fraud

Submitting insurance claims with false information or material omissions constitutes a third-degree crime. If five or more false claims are submitted, it is a second-degree crime.

Writing Bad Checks

It is a crime in New Jersey to write a check that you know or should know will bounce. However, the law recognizes that mistakes do happen. Therefore, you have 10 days to cover the bad check before the act becomes criminal. The severity of the crime depends upon how large the check is.

Credit Cards

Under the law, it is a third-degree crime to use another’s credit card without permission and a fourth-degree crime to steal or possess someone else’s credit card without permission.

Criminal Impersonation

It is illegal to impersonate another or assume another’s identity for the purpose of obtaining a benefit. The severity of the crime depends on the value of the benefit received.

Pirating Recordings

While the pirating statutes are long and complex, the most common criminal pirating charges are found in 2C:21-21c(2), which criminalizes the knowing transportation, advertisement, sale, resale, or rental of a number of items including CDs, DVDs, blue rays, etc. without permission. The grading of the crime and the fine imposed depends upon the number and type of items pirated. If you are facing a fraud or forgery charge in New Jersey, you should hire a fraud defense lawyer in New Jersey to fight for the best possible outcome to your case.

Call Roberts & Teeter today at (732) 607-5553 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our fraud defense attorneys in New Jersey.