{"id":373238,"date":"2016-09-12T12:31:05","date_gmt":"2016-09-12T17:31:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-forgery-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-03-22T11:53:13","modified_gmt":"2018-03-22T16:53:13","slug":"indiana-forgery-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/indiana-law\/indiana-forgery-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Forgery Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Indiana Forgery Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Thinking of forging someone else\u2019s \u201cJohn Hancock\u201d on a blank check belonging to a friend or relative for your own personal gain? Think again. The crime of forgery<\/a> in Indiana carries serious penalties and encompasses more than simply faking another person\u2019s signature on a check. Indiana forgery laws include a variety of actions and legal documents that can lead to fraud<\/a> and identity theft<\/a> charges, as well as several other white collar crimes such as counterfeiting and driver\u2019s license or state identification application fraud.   <\/p>\n

Elements of Forgery in Indiana<\/h2>\n

Forgery requires proof that a person, with the required intent to defraud<\/a>, makes or uses a document (such as a check, money order, deed, security, bond, drug prescription, and more) in such a manner that it purports to have been made by another person. Basically, creating, altering, or forging a document with the intent to rip off another person or entity or get some financial gain.<\/p>\n

For example, let\u2019s put this in the context of the growing prescription drug problem<\/a> in the United States. Let\u2019s imagine a situation where a person gets a hold of a doctor\u2019s prescription drug pad and writes out a prescription for Vicodin<\/a> and forges the doctor\u2019s signature. That person then drives to his local pharmacy and attempts to get the forged prescription filled. Here, we have a case of forgery, among other crimes. <\/p>\n

Indiana Forgery Laws Overview<\/h2>\n

The charges and penalties under Indiana\u2019s forgery laws are detailed below. Remember, there may be several defenses to the crime of forgery<\/a>, depending on the facts of your case.<\/p>\n\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Penalties<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Federal Offense? <\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

 <\/i>Yes, see 18 U.S. Code Chapter 25<\/a>, etc seq.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

Note:<\/i><\/b> State laws are always subject to change through the passage of new legislation, rulings in the higher courts (including federal decisions), ballot initiatives, and other means. While we strive to provide the most current information available, please consult an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\n

Additional Resources<\/h2>\n

If you have additional questions about the forgery or other criminal laws in Indiana, click on the following links below:<\/p>\n