Articulating Mistakes in Prosecution's Case — The burden is on the prosecution to prove you committed forgery and had the intent to defraud. They must prove each and every element of the forgery beyond a reasonable doubt.
What are the three types of forgery? Three common types of forgery are signature forgery, art forgery, and document forgery. Each of these types of forgery involves different methods of creating or altering documents, signifiers, and objects with the intent to deceive.
The first two degrees are felonies and the third degree amounts to a misdemeanor. The first degree forgery involves the actual presentation or use of any falsely made, altered or possessed document with the intent to deceive or defraud. The second degree forgery does not require use or presentation of the documents.
It's a Class 4 Felony when the forged document consists of only one Universal Price Code Label. Class 4 felonies are punishable between 1-3 years in prison, periodic imprisonment of up to 18 months, probation or conditional discharge of up to 30 months, a fine of up to $25,000, and/or restitution.
Under Illinois law, forgery is generally considered a Class 3 felony. Forgery will be a Class 4 felony when the Universal Price Code Label is forged, and a Class A misdemeanor when a coin or academic degree is forged. Class 3 felonies are punishable by two to five years imprisonment.
It is of course difficult, if not impossible, to prove forgery by the testi- mony of incompetent witnesses. In many localities there is no special wit- ness qualified to testify effectively on the technical subject of forgery, espe- cially in connection with difficult cases involving clever forgeries.