Experienced Counterfeiting And Federal Crimes Defense
Title 18 U.S.C. Chapter 25 addresses counterfeiting and forgery offenses. Under 18 U.S.C. Section 471: Obligations or securities of the United States, the penalties for conviction of counterfeiting include fines and/or a prison term of up to 20 years.
The Secret Service has jurisdiction over crimes involving counterfeit U.S. currency, Treasury checks, savings bonds and postage stamps. In addition, the Secret Service investigates the counterfeiting of identification such as passports and visas.
At O'Brien Hatfield, P.A., we can defend you or your business against counterfeiting charges. With our experience in state and federal court, we can handle any type of counterfeiting case. Speak with one of our Tampa attorneys for counterfeiting charges immediately if you have been charged or are about to be charged with forgery or counterfeiting.
“A 12-member jury took a little more than one hour to acquit the federal defendant”, wrote the Orlando Sentinel while describing the length of time it took a federal jury to acquit federal criminal defense attorney Mark J. O’Brien’s client of a million dollar counterfeit money and cocaine and marijuana drug distribution conspiracy.
– Orlando Sentinel
Counterfeiting And Forgery
Counterfeiting may be charged in conjunction with forgery. Forgery can be defined as the intent to defraud by writing, engraving or printing. This may include the creation or alteration of documents, including:
- Currency
- Bonds
- Stock certificates
- Wills
- Deeds
- Contracts
- Prescriptions
- Postage stamps
- Passports or visas
- Birth certificates
Counterfeiting or forgery charges may be added to the charges for offenses such as check and bank fraud, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act violations, money laundering, mortgage fraud and identity theft. Our Tampa forgery defense lawyers can defend you against any white collar criminal charge. As a former prosecutor, Mark J. O’Brien knows how to build a defense that exploits weaknesses in the prosecution’s case.
Tampa Identity Theft Attorneys
Identity theft (18 U.S.C. Section 1028) is a serious offense, especially if it is committed in conjunction with other crimes such as drug trafficking, a violent crime or an act of terrorism. Depending on the specifics of the case, conviction for simple identity theft or aggravated identity theft can include fines and a multiyear prison sentence.
In our post-9/11 world, identity theft has gained more attention from law enforcement agencies. If the offense involves counterfeiting or forgery of identification documents, the suspects may find themselves under investigation from the FBI, Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security.
Finding Solutions After You Have Been Charged With Immigration Fraud
Our attorneys are known for taking on the difficult, complex and even seemingly impossible cases that other lawyers may not want or know how to handle.
We understand that many who have been charged with passport or visa fraud are simply those who are trying to stay with or reunite with their families. We know they are not bad people. They have just grown frustrated with the system and have taken matters into their own hands.
Some of the most common forms of visa and passport fraud we see include:
- Engaging in a marriage scam to obtain citizenship
- Creating or using counterfeit identify documents, such as birth certificates, passports and Social Security cards, in order to illegally enter or remain in the country
- Altering a passport or using an altered passport
- Manufacturing or using a fake passport
- Lying on your visa application about your intent in visiting the United States
As your legal counsel, we will work toward full dismissal of charges when possible. If an acquittal is not an option, we will fight tirelessly to help you mitigate the most serious consequences associated with your charges.
Florida Forgery Defense Attorneys
Our results for many of our clients facing state and federal charges throughout Florida speak for themselves. For a free initial consultation with one of our lawyers, please call or contact us online.