Florida Statute §831.02 states that if a person intentionally offers, passes, or uses an already forged document to deceive or defraud any person or an entity, it will be considered as a crime uttering forged instruments.
Uttering vs. forging
Uttering forged documents is a different crime, and forging a document is a different crime. Forgery is a crime where a forged document is created, but uttering forged documents means distributing forged documents.
Penalties for Uttering Forged Instruments
In Florida, uttering a forged instrument is considered a felony of the third degree, and it is ranked as the offense of level 1 as per the Criminal punishment code of Florida. A person, if found guilty of such charges, may face any of the following legal punishments:
Imprisonment that may extend to 5 years
Probation that may extend to 5 years.
A fine of $5,000
Defenses to Uttering Forged Instruments
Intent to Defraud
For a legal document to be proved as forged, the prosecutor must prove that intention behind the forged document was to make it look as genuine. Also, if a million-dollar bill is uttered, it does not mean that is will be considered as uttering a forgery.
Contact Criminal Defense Lawyer Larry Avallone
If you have been charged or arrested in the Daytona Beach area, contact Larry Avallone, who is an expert Criminal Defense Lawyer in Volusia County. My initial consultation is completely free. I am ready to provide legal advice regarding the next steps in your case.
