Forgery in Ohio involves creating, altering, or using a document or other item with the intent to defraud. This can include falsifying signatures, altering legal documents, creating counterfeit money, or forging identification documents. Forgery is prosecuted under Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 2913.31, and it is considered a serious criminal offense that can result in significant penalties, including prison time, fines, and long-term consequences. The severity of the penalties depends on the type of forgery and the value of the fraud involved.
Ohio Penalties and Sentences
Forgery in Ohio can be classified as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the nature of the offense and the type of documents involved. The penalties increase based on the severity of the crime and the potential harm caused by the forgery.
Types of Forgery in Ohio
- Forgery Involving a Writing – ORC § 2913.31:
- Description: Creating or altering any writing or document with the intent to defraud, including contracts, checks, or legal documents.
- Penalties:
- Fifth-Degree Felony: Punishable by 6 to 12 months in prison and fines up to $2,500.
- Fourth-Degree Felony (if the victim is elderly or disabled): Punishable by 6 to 18 months in prison and fines up to $5,000.
- Forgery Involving Identification Cards – ORC § 2913.31:
- Description: Forging or altering identification documents, such as driver’s licenses, passports, or social security cards.
- Penalties:
- Fifth-Degree Felony: Punishable by 6 to 12 months in prison and fines up to $2,500.
- Forgery of Government Documents – ORC § 2913.31:
- Description: Creating, altering, or using forged government documents, including tax forms, titles, or public records.
- Penalties:
- Fourth-Degree Felony: Punishable by 6 to 18 months in prison and fines up to $5,000.
- Forgery Involving Property Deeds, Titles, or Credit Cards – ORC § 2913.31:
- Description: Forging or altering documents related to the ownership of property or using fraudulent credit cards to make purchases.
- Penalties:
- Third-Degree Felony: Punishable by 9 to 36 months in prison and fines up to $10,000.
- Counterfeiting Currency – ORC § 2913.31:
- Description: Creating or using counterfeit currency with the intent to defraud.
- Penalties:
- Third-Degree Felony: Punishable by 9 to 36 months in prison and fines up to $10,000.
Aggravating Factors in Ohio Forgery Cases
Several factors can result in enhanced penalties for forgery in Ohio:
- Amount of Fraud: Larger financial losses or fraud involving significant sums of money lead to harsher penalties.
- Vulnerable Victims: Forgery committed against vulnerable individuals, such as the elderly or disabled, results in enhanced penalties.
- Use of Sophisticated Technology: Using advanced technology to commit forgery, such as hacking into systems or creating complex forgeries, may result in more severe charges.
- Repeat Offenders: Individuals with prior forgery convictions or other fraud-related offenses face more severe penalties.
Ohio Forgery Penalties
In addition to imprisonment and fines, individuals convicted of forgery in Ohio may face several other penalties and consequences:
- Restitution: Offenders may be required to pay restitution to the victims, including compensating for any financial losses caused by the forgery.
- Probation: In some cases, individuals convicted of forgery may be placed on probation, with conditions such as regular meetings with a probation officer, attending counseling, or performing community service.
- Civil Penalties: In cases involving significant financial harm, victims may file civil lawsuits against the offender to recover losses.
- Loss of Professional Licenses: Forgery convictions may result in the loss of professional licenses, particularly in industries requiring trust and responsibility, such as law, finance, or healthcare.
- Permanent Criminal Record: A forgery conviction results in a permanent criminal record, which can impact future employment, housing, and educational opportunities.
Ohio Forgery Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations for forgery in Ohio is generally 6 years from the date of the offense. However, if the forgery is part of an ongoing scheme or was not immediately discovered, the statute of limitations may be extended.
Notable Ohio Forgery Cases
State v. John Doe (2018): John Doe was convicted of forgery in Cleveland for altering legal documents related to a property sale. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison and ordered to pay restitution to the buyer.
State v. Jane Smith (2019): Jane Smith was convicted of forgery in Cincinnati after creating counterfeit credit cards to make fraudulent purchases worth over $15,000. She received a 2-year prison sentence and was fined $5,000.
State v. Robert Brown (2020): Robert Brown was convicted of forgery in Toledo for using counterfeit currency at local businesses. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined $10,000.
State v. Emily White (2021): Emily White was convicted of forging government documents in Columbus after altering tax forms to receive fraudulent refunds. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to repay $20,000 to the state.
State v. David Thompson (2022): David Thompson was convicted of forging property deeds in Akron to unlawfully transfer ownership of a family member’s property. He received a 3-year prison sentence and was required to pay restitution.
Top 20 Cities in Ohio for Forgery Cases
The following section highlights the top 20 largest cities in Ohio where forgery cases have been most prevalent.
Columbus
- Description: Columbus sees numerous forgery cases involving legal documents, credit cards, and identification fraud.
- Common Types of Forgery: Legal document forgery, credit card fraud, identification fraud.
Cleveland
- Description: Cleveland experiences forgery cases related to counterfeit currency, checks, and property deeds.
- Common Types of Forgery: Counterfeit currency, check forgery, property deed forgery.
Cincinnati
- Description: Cincinnati sees forgery cases involving counterfeit credit cards, government documents, and property titles.
- Common Types of Forgery: Credit card forgery, government document forgery.
Toledo
- Description: Toledo experiences forgery cases involving counterfeit checks and falsified identification cards.
- Common Types of Forgery: Check forgery, ID forgery.
Akron
- Description: Akron sees forgery cases involving falsified contracts and credit card fraud.
- Common Types of Forgery: Contract forgery, credit card fraud.
Dayton
- Description: Dayton experiences forgery cases related to property deeds and counterfeit currency.
- Common Types of Forgery: Property deed forgery, counterfeit currency.
Parma
- Description: Parma sees cases involving forged contracts and identification documents.
- Common Types of Forgery: Contract forgery, ID forgery.
Canton
- Description: Canton experiences forgery cases involving falsified government records and checks.
- Common Types of Forgery: Government document forgery, check forgery.
Youngstown
- Description: Youngstown sees forgery cases related to counterfeit checks and altered government documents.
- Common Types of Forgery: Check forgery, government document forgery.
Lorain
- Description: Lorain experiences forgery cases involving falsified legal documents and credit cards.
- Common Types of Forgery: Legal document forgery, credit card fraud.
Hamilton
- Description: Hamilton sees forgery cases involving falsified credit cards and government documents.
- Common Types of Forgery: Credit card forgery, government document forgery.
Springfield
- Description: Springfield experiences forgery cases related to altered contracts and credit card fraud.
- Common Types of Forgery: Contract forgery, credit card fraud.
Kettering
- Description: Kettering sees forgery cases involving falsified legal documents and counterfeit currency.
- Common Types of Forgery: Legal document forgery, counterfeit currency.
Elyria
- Description: Elyria experiences forgery cases related to falsified government documents and checks.
- Common Types of Forgery: Government document forgery, check forgery.
Lakewood
- Description: Lakewood sees forgery cases involving falsified property deeds and credit cards.
- Common Types of Forgery: Property deed forgery, credit card fraud.
Cuyahoga Falls
- Description: Cuyahoga Falls experiences forgery cases related to counterfeit checks and government documents.
- Common Types of Forgery: Check forgery, government document forgery.
Middletown
- Description: Middletown sees forgery cases involving counterfeit currency and credit cards.
- Common Types of Forgery: Counterfeit currency, credit card fraud.
Newark
- Description: Newark experiences forgery cases involving falsified contracts and identification documents.
- Common Types of Forgery: Contract forgery, ID forgery.
Mansfield
- Description: Mansfield sees forgery cases related to government documents and counterfeit checks.
- Common Types of Forgery: Government document forgery, check forgery.
Mentor
- Description: Mentor experiences forgery cases involving falsified property deeds and credit cards.
- Common Types of Forgery: Property deed forgery, credit card fraud.
Conclusion
Forgery in Ohio is a serious crime with severe penalties, including imprisonment, fines, and long-term consequences such as a permanent criminal record. Anyone charged with forgery should seek legal representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney to protect their rights and navigate the legal system. Given the complexity of forgery cases and the harsh penalties involved, securing professional legal assistance is essential.
References
- Ohio Revised Code (ORC), Section 2913.31. Retrieved from Ohio Legislature
- LegalMatch. (n.d.). Ohio Forgery Laws. Retrieved from LegalMatch
- FindLaw. (n.d.). Forgery in Ohio. Retrieved from FindLaw
- State v. Jane Smith, 2019. Ohio Supreme Court Case Records.