It is possible to unknowingly commit forgery in Illinois, but that does not immediately undermine the severity of the crime. Many different offenses fall under the umbrella of forgery and deceptive practices, and knowing exactly what you did wrong is the first step in building a defense. If you were charged with forgery and do not understand why, an Aurora, IL forgery and deceptive practice defense attorney can explain the allegations against you and how you may be able to challenge them.
What Is Forgery Under Illinois Law?
Forgery generally refers to the act of changing or creating a false document to use it for deceptive purposes. That broad characterization can refer to a range of crimes, including everything from signing another person’s name on a legal document to generating a fake contract under someone else’s name. According to Illinois law, committing forgery is not limited to the act of creating or altering a document to make it look like someone else did it. It also requires delivering it when you know it is forged and using it to defraud.