Falsification, Forgery & Counterfeiting
The Crime of forgery
At McKenzia Solicitors we have the expertise and tenacity to handle clients cases who are accused of or charged with the offence of Forgery or Counterfeiting. Forgery involves falsifying a document, imitating an object of value & others with the intent to defraud people. Examples of documents which can give rise to accusations or charge of forgery include contracts, identification cards, and legal certificates. The Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 states that "a person is guilty of forgery if he makes a false instrument, with the intention that he or another shall use it to induce somebody to accept it as genuine, and by reason of so accepting it to do or not to do some act to his own or any other person’s prejudice.”
Offences of Forgery are but not limited to:
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Forgery - making a false instrument.
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Copying a false instrument.
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Using a false instrument.
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Using a copy of a false instrument.
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Control of false instruments.
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Passing or Control of Counterfeiting notes and coins.
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Control of counterfeiting materials and implements.
Counterfeiting
The Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981 states that "it is an offence for a person to make a counterfeit of a currency note or of a protected coin, intending that they or another shall pass or tender it as genuine." The Act further states that "it is an offence for a person to make a counterfeit of a currency note or of a protected coin without lawful authority or excuse"
At McKenzia Solicitors we are experienced in identifying the relevant Counterfeits defences which can be available to our clients. Under the Forgery Act "it is a defence if the written permission of the Treasury or other lawful authority has been obtained or there is a lawful excuse or if the written permission of the relevant issuing authority has been obtained or if the written permission of the Treasury has been obtained. Instructing us on your case means that we will be able to draw from your instructions your defence and the available relevant defences under the law and assist you in obtaining the necessary evidence to successfully defend your case. We work closely with experienced Barristers, forensic analysts, or a forensic handwriting expert.
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A forensic handwriting expert is an individual who determines the author of a signature. He/she will use a series of procedures to analyse the handwriting on instruments such as the document in question, which allows to validate or refute the identity of an alleged signer.