{"id":374120,"date":"2018-02-28T18:42:22","date_gmt":"2018-02-28T23:42:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-forgery-and-counterfeiting-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-02-28T18:42:22","modified_gmt":"2018-02-28T23:42:22","slug":"michigan-forgery-and-counterfeiting-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/michigan-law\/michigan-forgery-and-counterfeiting-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Michigan Forgery and Counterfeiting Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Michigan Forgery and Counterfeiting 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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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

Forgery can occur when a person alters, makes, or signs a written document with intent to deceive. For example, signing another person’s name to a will or check is forgery<\/a>. Counterfeiting, on the other hand, usually refers to the act of making fake goods or money and presenting them as genuine. Forgery and counterfeiting<\/a> are related crimes, but are usually addressed separately. In Michigan, forgery and counterfeiting are contained in the same chapter of the state’s penal code.<\/p>\n

In Michigan, forgery and counterfeiting can involve many different types of documents. For example, it’s illegal to forge records, bank bills, or promissory notes. It’s also illegal to forge or counterfeit public records or real property records. And, it’s not only prohibited to actively forge or counterfeit something, it’s also prohibited to use forged or counterfeiting documents or items like, for example, offering a financial transaction device<\/a> – such as a debit or credit card – with the intent to defraud or injure another person. It’s important to note that Michigan has separate laws that specifically address credit card fraud<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n

Michigan Forgery and Counterfeiting Laws Overview<\/h2>\n

Below you’ll find key provisions of forgery and counterfeiting laws in Michigan.<\/p>\n\n
Statute(s)<\/b><\/td>\n

Michigan Penal Code, Chapter XLI Forgery and Counterfeiting<\/i>, Section 750.248<\/a>, et seq.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

What’s Prohibited?<\/b><\/td>\nUnder Michigan’s forgery and counterfeiting laws, it’s prohibited to create, use, or possess any forged or counterfeit currency, financial devices\/records, documents affecting interest in real property, identifying mark, or bank documents. It’s also prohibited to possess any tools that can be used for counterfeiting.<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Charges and Penalties<\/b><\/td>\nThe charges for forgery and counterfeiting range from misdemeanors to felonies depending on what is being forged or counterfeited. Similarly, the penalties also vary depending on the circumstances. For the charges and penalties for specific acts, see Chapter XLI of the Michigan Penal Code<\/a>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Related Statute(s)<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Michigan Penal Code<\/p>\n