Forgery Defense Lawyers
Charged with forgery (A.R.S. § 13-2002) in Arizona? Falsifying or using a forged written instrument with intent to defraud is a Class 4 felony, and possessing a forgery device (A.R.S. § 13-2003) is a separate charge. The entire case turns on intent to defraud, without it, there is no crime. Do not try to explain the document to investigators before you talk to a defense lawyer.
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What Is Forgery Under Arizona Law?
Quick answer: Forgery under A.R.S. § 13-2002 is falsely making, completing, or altering a written instrument, or knowingly possessing or using a forged instrument, with the intent to defraud. A “written instrument” is broad, checks, contracts, deeds, IDs, prescriptions, and records all count. Forgery is a Class 4 felony. Related charges include criminal possession of a forgery device (A.R.S. § 13-2003), a Class 6 felony, and obtaining a signature by deception (A.R.S. § 13-2004). The single most important element is intent to defraud, signing with authority, a good-faith belief, or a genuine dispute is a defense, not a crime.
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Former Prosecutors · Law Enforcement · Public Defenders
When you call Tamou Law Group, you reach a firm that handles criminal defense exclusively, with serious experience defending forgery and other white-collar cases across Arizona. Our team includes former prosecutors and law enforcement officers, so we know exactly how the State builds these cases, and where they fall apart.
At many large firms, the name on the building is a marketing figurehead, you rarely get them on the phone and your case goes to a junior associate. When you hire Tamou Law Group, your case is handled by a full team of attorneys, not associates, including Michael Tamou.
On This Page
- What Is Forgery Under Arizona Law?
- Is forgery a felony in Arizona?
- How much prison time can you get for forgery in Arizona?
- What does the State have to prove for forgery?
- Is signing someone else’s name always forgery?
- Can each document be charged as a separate forgery count?
- Will a forgery conviction hurt my career?
- How the Charge Sets the Forgery Class
- Penalties & Sentencing
- Defenses That Work
- Our Defense Team
- FAQs
If you’ve been charged with forgery in Arizona, you probably have urgent questions about what you’re facing and what comes next. Here are straight answers to the questions people ask most, with a plain-English breakdown of the law under A.R.S. § 13-2002, the penalties, and the defenses that matter most.
Is forgery a felony in Arizona?
Yes. Forgery under A.R.S. § 13-2002 — falsely making, altering, possessing, or presenting a written instrument with intent to defraud — is a Class 4 felony. Criminal possession of a forgery device (A.R.S. § 13-2003) is a Class 6 felony, and forgery stacked with fraudulent schemes can rise to a Class 2 felony.
How much prison time can you get for forgery in Arizona?
As a Class 4 felony, a first-offense forgery carries a range of about 1 to 3.75 years, and it is a probation-available charge, so first-time cases are often resolved without prison. If the conduct is stacked with fraudulent schemes (A.R.S. § 13-2310), a Class 2 felony, the exposure can climb to 3 to 12.5 years.
What does the State have to prove for forgery?
The State must prove the instrument was false, that you made, possessed, or presented it, and — decisively — that you acted with intent to defraud. Without intent to defraud, even a false document is not forgery; a clerical error, a good-faith belief, or a genuine dispute is a defense.
Is signing someone else’s name always forgery?
No. If you had actual or apparent authority — a power of attorney, an agency relationship, or a good-faith belief you could sign — it is not forgery. Authority and intent are central, and proving their absence is what the State has to do.
Can each document be charged as a separate forgery count?
Yes. Prosecutors often file a separate forgery count for every check, document, or instrument, which can turn one incident into a long indictment and a much higher exposure. Consolidating counts, contesting which documents the State can actually prove, and attacking the shared intent element are central to reducing that exposure.
Will a forgery conviction hurt my career?
Yes. Forgery is a crime of dishonesty that reflects directly on credibility, so it is especially damaging to professional licenses and any job involving money, documents, or trust, and it carries immigration consequences for non-citizens. For first-time cases, restitution and mitigation can often secure probation or even a reduced charge, which protects your record.
How the Charge Sets the Forgery Class
Forgery exposure depends on which statute applies and the counts stacked with it. Each added count, and each victim, raises the exposure.
| Statute | Conduct | Felony Class | First-Offense Range* |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.R.S. § 13-2002 | Forgery of a written instrument | Class 4 | 1 – 3.75 years |
| A.R.S. § 13-2003 | Possession of a forgery device | Class 6 | 4 mo – 2 years |
| A.R.S. § 13-2104 | Forgery of a credit card | Class 4 | 1 – 3.75 years |
| A.R.S. § 13-2008 | Stacked identity theft | Class 4 | 1 – 3.75 years |
| A.R.S. § 13-2310 | Stacked fraudulent schemes | Class 2 | 3 – 12.5 years |
*Ranges are for a first offense and vary with priors and aggravators. Multiple instruments or victims can be charged as separate counts.
What the State Must Prove for Forgery
To convict you of Forgery under A.R.S. § 13-2002, the prosecutor must prove every one of these elements beyond a reasonable doubt. If even one fails, the charge fails.
- 1A written instrument. The item, a check, contract, deed, ID, or record, qualifies as a written instrument under the statute.
- 2Falsely made, completed, altered, possessed, or presented. You made, changed, possessed, or offered the instrument, and that act, and who did it, can be disputed.
- 3Falsity. The instrument or signature was actually false, an authorized signature is not a forgery.
- 4Intent to defraud. You acted with intent to defraud, the decisive element; authority, good faith, or a dispute is a defense.
Examples of Conduct Charged as Forgery
- Signing someone else’s name on a check or contract without authority
- Altering the amount, date, or payee on a check
- Creating or using a fake ID, title, or deed
- Forging a prescription or medical record
- Possessing check-printing or card-encoding equipment to make forged items
What Sentence Could You Actually Face?
Forgery is a Class 4 felony with a probation-available range, but stacked counts, multiple instruments, and added fraud charges can push the total exposure much higher. First-time cases are often resolved without prison.
Class 6
Forgery Device
Class 4
Forgery
Class 2
With Fraud Stacked
⚠ Each Document Is a Separate Count
Prosecutors often charge a separate forgery count for every check, document, or instrument, which can turn one incident into a long indictment and a much higher exposure. Consolidating counts, contesting which documents the State can actually prove, and attacking the shared intent element are central to reducing that exposure.
How We Fight Arizona Forgery Cases
Every case has weak points. These are the defenses we look at first.
Attacking Intent & Authority
No Intent to Defraud. Forgery requires intent to defraud. A clerical error, a good-faith belief, or a genuine dispute over a document is not a crime.
Authority to Sign. Signing with actual or apparent authority, a power of attorney, or an agency relationship is not forgery.
A Civil Dispute, Not a Crime. Many ‘forgery’ accusations are really disputes over contracts, signatures, or business authority that belong in civil court.
Mistaken Identity. The State must prove you, specifically, made or used the instrument, handwriting and access evidence is often inconclusive.
Attacking the Evidence
Handwriting Analysis. The State’s handwriting comparisons are frequently unreliable; a defense expert can rebut them.
Forgery-Device Use. For A.R.S. 13-2003, ordinary printers, software, or equipment with a legitimate purpose do not prove intent to forge.
Unlawful Search. Documents, devices, and records obtained without a valid warrant or beyond its scope can be suppressed.
Statute of Limitations. Older documents may fall outside the limitations period and cannot be charged.
The Experts We Bring to the Table
The State builds financial-crime cases with investigators, forensic auditors, and data analysts. We answer with the same caliber of specialists.
Forensic Accountants
Following the Money
Independently trace transactions, audit the State’s spreadsheets, and expose double-counting, missing context, and innocent explanations.
Certified Fraud Examiners
Intent & Scheme Analysis
Evaluate whether the conduct actually fits the charge or is an ordinary business dispute, and where the intent evidence falls short.
Computer Forensics Experts
Devices & Accounts
Examine the digital evidence, emails, logins, and IP data, and challenge whether it really proves who acted.
Financial & Data Analysts
Records & Patterns
Reconstruct the financial record from bank and accounting data and test the assumptions behind the State’s loss calculations.
Tax & Regulatory Experts
Compliance & Reporting
Explain industry practice, reporting rules, and tax treatment that the State has mischaracterized as a crime.
Valuation & Restitution Experts
Loss & Restitution
Establish the true loss amount, often far lower than alleged, which drives both the felony class and any restitution.
Recent Forgery Defense Results
Every case is unique and results depend on the facts, but these examples reflect how our firm handles forgery cases across Arizona.
Forgery, Lack of Intent
Charges Dismissed
Without proof of intent to defraud, the forgery charge was dismissed, our client reasonably believed he was authorized to sign.
Authorized-Signature Check Case
Charges Dismissed
Evidence of authority to sign company checks defeated the falsity and intent elements.
Forgery-Device Allegation
Reduced to Misdemeanor
We showed the equipment had a legitimate business use and no intent to forge, cutting a felony to a misdemeanor.
Altered-Contract Dispute
Charges Dismissed
We established the matter was a civil contract dispute, not criminal deception, and the counts were dismissed.
Multiple-Check Indictment
Charges Reduced
We consolidated and disproved several counts, reducing a multi-count indictment to a single low-level resolution.
Forgery & Identity Theft
Probation, No Prison
Restitution and mitigation resolved a stacked forgery-and-identity case to probation, with no prison.
What Clients Say About Tamou Law
Real Google reviews from clients we have defended across Phoenix and Maricopa County. Every review is from a criminal defense client, never padded with non-legal work.
Clients reach us searching for the best forgery lawyer in Phoenix, a check fraud defense attorney, or help with an A.R.S. 13-2002 or forgery-device charge. Tamou Law Group defends forgery and other white-collar cases across Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, and all of Maricopa County. This page is part of our Arizona white collar crimes practice. Call 623-321-4699 for a free, confidential consultation, 24/7.
Arizona Forgery FAQs
Quick answers to the questions we hear most about forgery charges, penalties, and defenses in Arizona.
Is forgery a felony in Arizona?
Yes. Forgery under A.R.S. 13-2002 is a Class 4 felony. Criminal possession of a forgery device (A.R.S. 13-2003) is a Class 6 felony. Forgery stacked with fraudulent schemes can rise to a Class 2 felony.
What counts as forgery in Arizona?
Falsely making, completing, or altering a written instrument, or knowingly possessing or presenting a forged one, with intent to defraud. Written instruments include checks, contracts, deeds, titles, IDs, prescriptions, and records.
What does the State have to prove for forgery?
That the instrument was false, that you made, possessed, or presented it, and, decisively, that you acted with intent to defraud. Without intent to defraud, there is no forgery.
Is signing someone else’s name always forgery?
No. If you had authority, a power of attorney, an agency relationship, or a good-faith belief you could sign, it is not forgery. Authority and intent are central to the defense.
What is a forgery device under A.R.S. 13-2003?
Any equipment, software, or material designed or used to make forged instruments, such as check-printing setups or card encoders. The State must prove you possessed it with intent to use it to forge; legitimate equipment is a defense.
Can each document be a separate charge?
Yes. Prosecutors often file a separate forgery count for every check or document, which can turn one incident into a long indictment. Consolidating and contesting counts is a key part of the defense.
Is a contract dispute forgery?
Usually not. Many forgery accusations are really disputes over signatures, authority, or what was agreed, which belong in civil court. Showing it is a civil dispute can defeat the criminal charge.
Can a first-time forgery charge avoid prison?
Often, yes. Forgery is a probation-available Class 4 felony. For first-time cases, restitution and mitigation frequently result in probation rather than prison, and sometimes a reduced charge.
How reliable is handwriting evidence?
Often not very. Forensic handwriting comparison is subjective and frequently overstated. A defense expert can challenge the State’s analysis and create reasonable doubt about who signed.
Will a forgery conviction hurt my career?
Yes. Forgery is a crime of dishonesty, which is especially damaging to professional licenses and any job involving money, documents, or trust. Protecting your record is often as important as avoiding jail.
Will I get a real attorney or a junior associate?
At many large firms the name on the door is a marketing figurehead and your case goes to a rotating associate. At Tamou Law Group your defense is handled by a full team of experienced attorneys, not associates, including founding attorney Michael Tamou. Call 623-321-4699, 24/7.
Key Takeaways
- Forgery (A.R.S. § 13-2002), falsifying or using a forged written instrument with intent to defraud, is a Class 4 felony.
- A “written instrument” is broad: checks, contracts, deeds, titles, IDs, prescriptions, and business records all qualify.
- Criminal possession of a forgery device (A.R.S. § 13-2003), equipment or software to make forged instruments, is a Class 6 felony.
- The decisive element is intent to defraud, without it, even a false document is not forgery.
- Authority to sign, a good-faith belief, or a genuine dispute over a document is a complete defense.
- Forgery is frequently stacked with fraudulent schemes, identity theft, and credit-card fraud.
- Your case is handled by a full team of attorneys, not associates, including Michael Tamou, available 24/7 at 623-321-4699.
Two Arizona Offices, One Team
We serve all of Maricopa County and the surrounding area, with free, confidential consultations 24/7 by phone and in-person meetings at either office by appointment.
Case Results Disclaimer: The results described on this page are based on specific facts and circumstances and do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee future results. No attorney-client relationship is formed by viewing this page or submitting a contact form until a written fee agreement has been signed. Tamou Law Group, PLLC is licensed to practice law in the State of Arizona. This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.