Falsifying Documents Charges
Among the several theft related crimes for which individuals in the state of Texas can be charged are offenses related to falsifying documents. An individual in Denton was recently charged with two counts of theft, four counts of forgery of a private document, three counts of possession of private documents, three counts of issuing false documents, and three counts of forgery orders for money or goods. These charges arose from a situation in which an individual was receiving checks from an employer and then purchasing goods without proper authorization. For individuals in Texas who are charged with falsifying documents, it is often wise to take several steps towards making sure that the case resolves in the best possible manner. Two of these steps involve understanding these types of charges and retaining the services of a skilled defense attorney.
Applicable Texas Law
A charge of “falsifying documents” in the state of Texas is a crime that involves altering, changing, or modifying a document for the purpose of deceiving another individual. In many cases, falsifying documents is performed in addition to another type of criminal activity.
In order to be charged under this act, individuals must have both acted with criminal intent and performed at least one type of act that can be considered to constitute falsifying documents. Examples of acts that would qualify for falsifying documents include:
- Altering or misrepresenting financial amounts or figures,
- Concealing assets,
- Forging a signature,
- Destroying information critical to an investigation,
- Stating false information, or
- Using a fake document or letterheads without authorization.
Some of the most common types of documents that are falsified include bank account records, birth certificates, business record keeping books, identification cards, immigration documents, income statements, personal checks, and tax returns.
Potential Consequences of Falsifying Documents
The charge of falsifying documents is treated in a particularly serious manner in the state of Texas. Individuals convicted of the offense can expect to pay a large fine or spend time in prison. Individuals who falsified documents involving a significant amount of money or paperwork that involved either the state or federal government can expect to face even more significant penalties.
Available Defenses to Falsifying Document Charges
There are fortunately some ways in which individuals in the state of Texas can defend against charges of falsifying documents. Some of the potential defenses that individuals can raise include arguing:
- Authorization Was Granted: The individual was given appropriate authorization.
- Lack of Intent: The falsification was done accidentally by the individual.
- Mistaken Identity: The individual was not the person who committed the crime.
- No Falsifying Occurred: No actual falsifying of a document occurred.
How Can a Knowledgeable Criminal Defense Attorney Help?
If you are charged with issuing false documents or any other type of criminal charge in the state of Texas, consider contacting a skilled attorney at Wheeler Law Office. We understand the significant consequences that individuals can face in these situations and will compassionately fight for the best results.
