{"id":375657,"date":"2018-01-12T15:38:29","date_gmt":"2018-01-12T20:38:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-forgery-and-counterfeiting-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-01-12T15:43:38","modified_gmt":"2018-01-12T20:43:38","slug":"ohio-forgery-and-counterfeiting-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/ohio-law\/ohio-forgery-and-counterfeiting-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Ohio Forgery and Counterfeiting Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Ohio Forgery and Counterfeiting Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\n

Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

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

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

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

Most states, including Ohio, have laws to stop and prevent counterfeiting<\/a> and forgery<\/a>. Ohio’s forgery and counterfeiting laws cover (but are not limited to): passing bad checks, misuse of credit cards<\/a>, and trademark counterfeiting. The penalties for these types of crimes vary depending on the circumstances of the crime. For example, misuse of a credit card is generally a first degree misdemeanor; however, if the victim is elderly or a disabled adult or if the value of the property involved is $1,000 or more the crime is elevated to a felony<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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

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

Ohio Revised Code Title XXIX. Crimes Procedure Sections:<\/p>\n

What’s Prohibited?<\/b><\/td>\n

Passing Bad Checks<\/i>: With purpose to defraud, issue a check knowing that: (1) it’ll be dishonored or (2) a person has ordered or will order stop payment on the check.<\/p>\n

Misuse of Credit Cards<\/i>: Practice deception in order to procure the issuance of a credit card, or knowingly buy\/sell a credit card from\/to a person other than the issuer. It’s also prohibited to do any of the following with purpose to defraud:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Obtain control over a credit card as security for a debt;<\/li>\n
  • Use a credit card knowing that it’s expired or revoked;<\/li>\n
  • Provide property\/services knowing the credit card being offered is being used in violation of the law; or<\/li>\n
  • Falsely represent to the issuer of a credit card that property\/services have been provided.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Forgery<\/i>:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • With purpose to defraud or knowingly facilitate a fraud, reproduce someone else’s writing or use or display any writing knowing that it’s been forged; or<\/li>\n
    • Knowingly fabricate an identification card (i.d.), or sell\/distribute an i.d. knowing that it’s forged.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Trademark Counterfeiting<\/i>: Knowingly:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • Attach a counterfeit mark in connection with the manufacture of goods or services;<\/li>\n
      • Possess or sell tools\/machines knowing that they are designed to produce counterfeit marks; or<\/li>\n
      • Sell an item with the knowledge that a counterfeit mark is used in connection with the sale.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Charges<\/b><\/td>\n

Charges under Ohio’s forgery and counterfeiting laws will vary from a first degree misdemeanor to a second degree felony depending on the specific circumstances of the forgery or counterfeiting.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

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

Second degree felony<\/i>: 2-8 years in prison<\/a> and fines<\/a> not exceeding $15,000.<\/p>\n

Third degree felony<\/i>: 9, 12, 18, 24, 30, or 36 months in prison and fines not exceeding $10,000.<\/p>\n

Fourth degree felony<\/i>: 6-18 months in prison and fines not exceeding $5,000.<\/p>\n

Fifth degree felony<\/i>: 6-12 months in prison and fines not exceeding $2,500.<\/p>\n

First degree misdemeanor<\/i>: up to 180 days in jail<\/a> and fines<\/a> up to $1,000.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

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

Ohio Revised Code Title XXIX. Crimes Procedure Sections:<\/p>\n