Top Ann Arbor, MI Counterfeit Money Lawyers Near You
Our nationwide team of defense lawyers includes a former U.S. Attorney, four former Federal Prosecutors, two former FBI agents and two former Army JAGS.
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
Charged With A Federal Crime? Call A Team Of Federal Criminal Lawyers With A Powerful Court Presence And Decades Of Experience. Who Are Fiercely Passionate About Winning Your Case
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
Fed Trouble? Free Consult. Former Prosecutor & Team Former Federal Agents. Call/Text 24/7. Immediate Response Guaranteed!
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
28411 Northwestern Highway, Suite 1150, Southfield, MI 48034
Other Nearby Offices
Spitz, The Employee's Law Firm has experience helping clients with their Counterfeit Money needs in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Se Habla Español
Free Consultation
472 Starkweather Street, Plymouth, MI 48170
Assisting people in Ann Arbor with their Michigan Counterfeit Money issues.
Free Consultation
2000 Town Center, Suite 2350, Southfield, MI 48075
For those working through a Counterfeit Money issue in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area, Lewis & Dickstein, P.L.L.C. can be your partner in law.
Free Consultation
Virtual Appointments
3150 Livernois, Suite 115, Troy, MI 48083
When you need legal representation for your Counterfeit Money, connect with Law Office of John Freeman, PLLC in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Free Consultation
31350 Telegraph Rd., Suite 201, Bingham Farms, MI 48025-4366
17197 N. Laurel Park Drive, Suite 201, Livonia, MI 48152
350 South Main Street, Suite 300, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
44 1st St, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
345 E Cady St, 3rd Fl., Northville, MI 48167
1441 West Long Lake Road, Suite 310, Troy, MI 48098
315 East Eisenhower Parkway, Suite 100, Ann Arbor, MI 48108
6050 Greenfield Road, Suite 201, Dearborn, MI 48126
28175 Haggerty Rd, 110, Novi, MI 48377
200 Renaissance Center, Suite 3110, Detroit, MI 48243-1301
1360 Porter St, Suite 260, Dearborn, MI 48124
645 Griswold Street, Suite 1717, Detroit, MI 48226
1760 South Telegraph Road, Suite 300, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
28411 Northwestern Highway, Suite 875, Southfield, MI 48034
645 Griswold Street, Suite 1717, Detroit, MI 48226
30300 Northwestern Hwy, Suite 111, Farmington Hills, MI 48334
1523 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067
26777 Central Park Blvd., Suite 325, Southfield, MI 48076
39533 Woodward Ave, Suite 318, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
23358 Gratiot Ave, Eastpointe, MI 48021
500 Griswold St., Suite 2340, Detroit, MI 48226
Ann Arbor Counterfeit Money Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Counterfeit Money attorneys in Ann Arbor and checks their standing with Michigan bar associations.
Our Verification Process and Criteria
Ample Experience
Attorneys must meet stringent qualifications and prove they practice in the area of law they’re verified in.Good Standing
Be in good standing with their bar associations and maintain a clean disciplinary record.Annual Review
Submit to an annual review to retain their Lead Counsel Verified status.Client Commitment
Pledge to follow the highest quality client service and ethical standards.
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 Michigan?
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 Michigan 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.