Top Baton Rouge, LA Counterfeit Money Lawyers Near You
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830 Main St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5597
In Baton Rouge, Louisiana area, J. Rodney Baum Attorney at Law can help clients with their Counterfeit Money needs.
City Plaza, 445 North Blvd. Suite 300, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
2600 CitiPlace Drive, Suite 400, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
450 Laurel Street, Suite 1900, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
450 Laurel Street, II Rivermark Centre, 21st Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
12345 Perkins Road, Building 2, Suite 202, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
8075 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
6513 Perkins Rd, Baton Rouge, LA 70808
10843 N Oaks Hills Pkwy, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
8702 Jefferson Highway Suite B, Baton Rouge, LA 70809-2233
400 Convention St, Suite 1001, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
830 Main Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
301 St Ferdinand St, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
One American Place, 301 Main Street, Suite 2300, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3197
8550 United Plaza Blvd, Suite 103, Baton Rouge, LA 70809-2256
10101 Siegen Ln Bldg 3A, Baton Rouge, LA 70810
301 Main St, Suite 1150, Baton Rouge, LA 70825
450 Laurel Street, 8th Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
4041 Essen Ln, Suite 500, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
450 Laurel St, Suite 1601, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
301 Main St, Suite 1400, Baton Rouge, LA 70801
II City Plaza, 400 Convention Street, Suite 1100, Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5618
445 North Blvd, Suite 800, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
246 Napoleon Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5937
4607 Bluebonnet Blvd, Suite B, Baton Rouge, LA 70809
Baton Rouge Counterfeit Money Information
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What Is Considered a Counterfeit Money Crime?
There are a variety of crimes related to counterfeit money from the creation of counterfeit money to the laundering of fake money and spending it.
Counterfeiting is a serious federal offense, one which courts do not take lightly. Using machines, dyes and other techniques to reproduce legal currency is considered a federal felony, and the distribution, obfuscation (laundering) of said fake currency is also a felony. Doing trade with counterfeit currency in low denominations may be considered somewhat less serious, but determined in a court of law.
Is Using Counterfeit Money a Felony?
Charges related to counterfeit money can be pursued at either the state or federal level. At the federal level, knowingly dealing in counterfeit currency can be a felony resulting in up to 20 years imprisonment, as well as a fine, if you are found guilty of the offense.
State-level laws differ on the subject. If a particular sum of goods or services being sought exceeds a monetary threshold (often ranging from $250 to $1,000), the charges of counterfeiting or forgery are escalated to felony charges. If the sum is lower than the state-dictated threshold, misdemeanor charges may result, at least in jurisdictions that offer this legal avenue.
What Happens if You Unknowingly Use Counterfeit Money?
Intent is a major element that must be proven to charge someone for using counterfeit money.
If you unknowingly use counterfeit money, it is likely you will have a strong defense if a case comes to trial. In most instances, people pass counterfeit bills without prior knowledge of, or intent, to defraud the recipient. Given that the standard of proof in a criminal trial is quite high — prosecutors must prove, beyond any reasonable doubt, that the defendant intended to pass counterfeit currency — those who innocently pass a fake bill are unlikely to face conviction. That being said, it remains a possibility: therefore it is advisable to report any suspected currency you encounter to authorities.
What is the Penalty for Counterfeit Money Charges?
As mentioned above, federal penalties for the use of counterfeit money can result in a 20-year prison sentence in addition to fines. The same applies to those who produce such currency with the intent to defraud.
In many states, however, counterfeiting is also known as forgery. For example, if you are found guilty of forgery (largely pertaining to false bills or coins, as well as securities) you could face up to five years in prison as well as $5,000 in fines in response to what is termed a third-degree felony in certain states. In other states, it is treated as a so-called “wobbler,” meaning that the crime can be charged as either a misdemeanor or felony depending on the context and circumstances. The misdemeanor forgery charge can result in one year in county jail, while the felony variant calls for up to three years behind bars.
Across most state laws and statutes, forgery or crimes related to counterfeit money typically call for a jail or prison sentence ranging from one to five years, and fines ranging from $1,000 to $100,000.
Why Do You Need a Lawyer for Counterfeit Money Charges in Louisiana?
If you’re facing charges related to counterfeiting, passing of counterfeit money, or forgery more broadly, it would be in your best interests to secure legal representation as quickly as possible.
Having a skilled Louisiana criminal defense attorney in your corner is the best thing you can do to improve your odds of winning the case, whether or not the issue has to be brought to trial. An experienced attorney will be able to gather the relevant facts and can advise you on how to proceed.
Convictions in response to forgery or counterfeiting charges often result in stiff financial penalties as well as a jail or prison sentence, and so it is vitally important to retain proper legal representation.
How Can a Counterfeiting Money Attorney Help?
A counterfeiting money attorney can help you defend against these serious charges. Counterfeiting is considered fraud and if you made fake bills or coins, or even if you unknowingly used counterfeit money, a lawyer will help protect you and your legal rights.