What is uttering a forged instrument?
If you’ve been charged with uttering a forged instrument in Grady County, it’s important that you understand what that means. Don’t let the outdated phrase confuse you. Essentially, it’s forgery.
Uttering means publishing, which is creating and sharing. Forged means fake or falsified. An instrument is a document, coin, or other financial item.
It is often a felony to knowingly put a forged instrument into circulation with the intent to defraud. Examples of forged instruments are counterfeit cash or coins, forged checks, and forged documents.
If you’re being charged with forgery in Oklahoma, it’s urgent that you contact a knowledgeable defense attorney. The lawyers at Wirth Law Office – Chickasha can advise you on how to move forward.
What are the punishments?
Punishments vary depending on the value of the forged item that was put into circulation.
- If the value is less than $1,000, it is a misdemeanor forgery punishable by up to a year in Grady County jail, and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
- If the value is at least $1,000 but under $2,500, it is a felony forgery punishable by up to a year in Grady County jail or up to two years in prison, and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
- If the value is at least $2,500 but under $15,000, it is a felony forgery punishable by up to a year in Grady County jail or up to five years in prison, and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
- If the value is at least $15,000, it is a felony forgery punishable by up to eight years in prison, and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
The bail amount for forgery charges is $1,000. If the charges accrued over time on a recurring basis, the values of all of the forged instruments that were circulated can be added together. That way, they can all make up one big charge instead of several smaller charges. This leads to more severe punishments.
Fighting the Charges
If you’re facing charges for uttering a forged instrument in Grady County, whether it’s a misdemeanor or a felony, you need an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. These charges are serious and can lead to substantial penalties.
If it’s your first offense, your Grady County defense attorney might seek a plea agreement for a deferred or suspended sentence. A deferred sentence is when you plead guilty and then complete a probation period. After that, your record could be cleared. A suspended sentence is when you plead guilty and get convicted but serve probation before being sentenced. After probation, your case could be dismissed.
If you acted without knowledge or intent, a strong defense can be built on that. To talk to a skilled defense attorney at Wirth Law Office – Chickasha about your forgery charge, call (405) 272-4100 or fill out the form at the top of this page.