(a) A person commits the offense of forgery in the first degree when with intent to defraud he knowingly makes, alters, or possesses any writing in a fictitious name or in such manner that the writing as made or altered purports to have been made by another person, at another time, with different provisions, or by …

How long do you go to jail for forgery in Georgia?

Punishment. Forgery in the first degree is punishable by one to 15 years’ imprisonment. Second and third degree forgery are punishable by one to five years in prison.

Is forgery a felony or misdemeanor in Georgia?

The Penalty for Forgery in Georgia Forgery can be prosecuted as either a felony or a misdemeanor, depending on the amount of loss. Forgery in the first, second, and third degree are all punished as a felony with a prison term between one and five years for second and third degree.

Is first degree forgery a felony in Georgia?

Georgia forgery laws are punished as follows: Forgery in the First Degree: A felony punishable by 1-15 years in prison; Forgery in the Fourth Degree: A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison, though the third and subsequent convictions for such an offense make this a felony punishable by 1-5 years in prison.

How do I get out of a forgery charge?

Present a Valid Legal Defenses — Lack of intent to defraud, permission to commit the act and coercion are some of the common defenses to forgery charges that will be covered in more detail later in defenses section.

Is there a statute of limitations on forgery?

(b) A person convicted of the offense of forgery in the first degree shall be punished by imprisonment for not less than one nor more than ten years. There is a four year statute of limitations so the person can still be arrested and prosecuted.

What are the forgery laws in the state of Georgia?

Georgia forgery laws are punished as follows: Forgery in the First Degree: A felony punishable by 1-15 years in prison; Forgery in the Second Degree: A felony punishable by 1-5 years in prison; Forgery in the Third Degree: A felony punishable by 1-5 years in prison;

What’s the Statute of limitations for a crime in Georgia?

For crimes not specifically listed in the statute, a general statute of limitations applies based on the category of the crime. The general time limits are: two years for misdemeanors. (Ga. Code §§ 17-3-1, -2, -2.1, 2.2, -3 (2019).) Below are examples of time limits for specific crimes in Georgia.

What’s the punishment for forgery in the fourth degree?

Forgery in the Fourth Degree: A misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison, though the third and subsequent convictions for such an offense make this a felony punishable by 1-5 years in prison. Note: State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts…