Phoenix Identity Theft & Forgery Crimes Attorney

There is a tremendous amount of personal information in cyberspace. Identity theft and forgery are not new crimes, but they are much more prevalent and publicized in our current era of high-speed communication via the internet. If you have been accused of a forgery or identity theft crime, you need an aggressive lawyer on your side to protect your rights and help you fight to avoid conviction. The Phoenix identity theft & forgery crimes lawyers at AZ Defenders will do everything possible achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

Why Choose Us

• Our firm has some of the most aggressive criminal defense lawyers in the nation. We are ready to fight for your rights in the courtroom and will not settle for a guilty plea.
• Our Phoenix criminal defense lawyers have more than 20 years of combined experience in the legal field successfully defending clients.
• We offer top-notch, dedicated service to our clients and handle all aspects of your case necessary to support you and your case.
• Our identity theft lawyers are well-respected, active members of the Arizona legal community.

Do You Need a Phoenix Identity Theft Defense Lawyer?

According to the Federal Trade Commission, in a recent year, there were 371,061 reports from consumers of identity theft in the United States. There were 8,330 reports of identity theft in Arizona alone. In an effort to quell the growing number of identity theft and forgery cases, law enforcement agencies and state and federal prosecutors treat these cases very seriously and come down hard on the accused. While you are innocent until proven guilty, the Arizona criminal justice system is particularly tough, and the prosecutor will be aggressively pursuing a conviction.

It is important to get help early on in your case from an experienced Phoenix theft attorney to protect your rights and seek a favorable outcome, whether in negotiating a dismissal, reduced charge, or another benefit. Our dedicated criminal lawyers will guide you throughout every phase of the process, including in an investigation, during interviews or questioning with the police. We will seek out the weaknesses in the case against you and craft a strong case for your defense.

What is Forgery?

Under Arizona criminal law, forgery is, with an attempt to defraud, to falsely make, complete or alter a written instrument; knowingly possess a forged instrument; or offer or present a forged instrument or one that contains false information. Possessing five or more forged instruments may infer that there is intent to defraud. This crime can include credit card fraud, or any other variety of stolen identity. Forgery is classified as a felony and a conviction could result in a lengthy jail sentence.

What is Identity Theft?

Arizona law delineates identity theft as to knowingly take, purchase, manufacture, record, possess, or use any personal identifying information of another person or entity without the consent of that other person or entity, for an unlawful purpose or to cause loss. This can also include types of credit card fraud. It doesn’t matter whether the actual loss was a result of the theft or not. Identity theft is also classified as a felony.

Taking Identity of Another Person or Entity

(Per Arizona Revised Statute § 13-2008)

This offense is a Class 4 Felony which occurs when a person commits taking the identity of another person or entity if the person knowingly takes, purchases, manufactures, records, possesses or uses any personal identifying information or entity identifying information of another person or entity, including a real or fictitious person or entity, without the consent of that other person or entity, with the intent to obtain or use the other person’s or entity’s identity for any unlawful purpose or to cause loss to a person or entity whether or not the person or entity actually suffers any economic loss as a result of the offense, or with the intent to obtain or continue employment.

Aggravated Taking Identity of Another Person or Entity

(Per Arizona Revised Statute § 13-2009)

1. Aggravated taking the identity of another person or entity is a Class 3 Felony offense which occurs when a person commits aggravated taking the identity of another person or entity if the person knowingly takes, purchases, manufactures, records, possesses or uses any personal identifying information or entity identifying information of either:
2. Three or more other persons or entities, including real or fictitious persons or entities, without the consent of the other persons or entities, with the intent to obtain or use the other persons’ or entities’ identities for any unlawful purpose or to cause loss to the persons or entities whether or not the persons or entities actually suffer any economic loss.
3. Another person or entity, including a real or fictitious person or entity, without the consent of that other person or entity, with the intent to obtain or use the other person’s or entity’s identity for any unlawful purpose and causes another person or entity to suffer an economic loss of three thousand dollars or more.
4. Another person, including a real or fictitious person, with the intent to obtain employment.
5. A person commits knowingly accepting the identity of another person if the person, in hiring an employee, knowingly does both of the following:
6. Accepts any personal identifying information of another person from an individual and knows that the individual is not the actual person identified by that information.
7. Uses that identity information for the purpose of determining whether the individual who presented that identity information has the legal right or authorization under federal law to work in the United States as described and determined under the processes and procedures under 8 United States Code section 1324a.
8. In an action for aggravated taking the identity of another person or entity under subsection A, paragraph 1 of this section, proof of possession out of the regular course of business of the personal identifying information or entity identifying information of three or more other persons or entities may give rise to an inference that the personal identifying information or entity identifying information of the three or more other persons or entities was possessed for an unlawful purpose.

Trafficking in the Identity of Another Person or Entity

(Per Arizona Revised Statute § 13-2010)

Trafficking in the identity of another person or entity is a Class 2 Felony offense which occurs when a person commits trafficking in the identity of another person or entity if the person knowingly sells, transfers or transmits any personal identifying information or entity identifying information of another person or entity, including a real or fictitious person or entity, without the consent of the other person or entity for any unlawful purpose or to cause loss to the person or entity whether or not the other person or entity actually suffers any economic loss, or allowing another person to obtain or continue employment.

Other Types of Forgery and Identity Theft Crimes

Arizona law also prohibits the following criminal activities:

• Criminal possession of a forgery device
• Criminal simulation
• Obtaining a signature by deception
• Criminal impersonation
• Aggravated taking the identity of another person or entity; knowingly accepting the identity of another person
• Trafficking in the identity of another person or entity
• Admission tickets; fraudulent creation or possession

Contact AZ Defenders for Help

The identity theft and forgery lawyers at AZ Defenders understand that people make mistakes and we work hard to make sure that it doesn’t ruin your future. If you have been charged with identity theft or forgery crimes, contact our Phoenix office for a free consultation on your case and our strategies for your defense.