Altered and Forged Documents Charges in Pennsylvania

At the Zuckerman Law Firm LLC, we represent individuals charged with offenses involving altered or forged documents in Pennsylvania. Section 7122 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code addresses crimes related to the falsification, alteration, or forgery of documents related to the ownership, registration, inspection and maintenance of motor vehicles. Being charged under this statute can carry serious legal consequences, including fines, jail time, a license suspesnion, and a permanent criminal record.

Altered and Forged Documents Defined

Section 7122 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code is entitled “Altered, forged or counterfeit documents and plates.” A person is guilty of this offense if the Commonwealth proves the following elements beyond a reasonable doubt:

• The person acted with fraudulent intent; and

• The person committed one of the following acts:

  • Fake Title/Registration/Inspection/Insurance: Alters, forges or counterfeits a certificate of title, registration card or plate, inspection certificate or proof of financial responsibility;

  • Fake Assignment of Title or Security Interest: Alters or forges an assignment of a certificate of title, or an assignment or release of a security interest on a certificate of title or any other document issued or prepared for issue by the department;

  • Possession/Sale/Display of Fake Documents with Knowledge of Falsity: has possession of, sells or attempts to sell, uses or displays a certificate of title, registration card or plate, driver's license, inspection certificate proof of financial responsibility or any other document issued by the department, knowing it to have been altered, forged or counterfeited;

  • Inspection Without Insurance: obtains or attempts to obtain a certificate of inspection without valid proof of financial responsibility; OR

  • Provides Inspection With No Proof of Insurance: provides a certificate of inspection where there is no valid proof of financial responsibility.

Potential Penalties for Altered and Forged Documents Offense

This violation is graded as a 1st Degree Misdemeanor punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 5 years in jail and a maximum fine of up to $10,000. This offense also carries a 12-month mandatory license suspension upon conviction.

Why am I being charged with Altered and Forged Documents?

Typically, individuals facing this charge are driving vehicles that couldn’t pass inspection. Due to lacking the necessary funds to repair the vehicle, they took their car to a “mom and pop shop” who took care of the inspection by slapping fake stickers on the vehicle. Alternatively, some claim to have turned the vehicle over to a friend or family member who handled the car, and claim ignorance as far as the family member’s actions.

The Zuckerman Law Firm LLC suggests that you never allow a third party to handle the inspection, emissions or insurance for your vehicle. Further, we recommend that you only take your car to an approved auto mechanic.

Lack of Intent Defense - “I didn’t know the stickers were fake”

The most common defense is a lack of intent, or a claim by the charged individual that he or she didn’t realize the stickers were fake. Typically, the family member or shop who handled the vehicle is not willing to cooperate with the defense for fear of criminal culpability. The best option for anyone facing this charge is to retain legal counsel at the preliminary hearing phase.

How the Zuckerman Law Firm LLC Can Help

The Zuckerman Law Firm LLC has represented numerous individuals throughout Western Pennsylvania who have faced this charge, many times negotiating charge withdrawals and reductions at the preliminary hearing phase of prosecution.

If you are charged with altering or forging documents, acting quickly can make a critical difference in the outcome. Contact the Zuckerman Law Firm LLC today at 412-447-5580 for a free telephone consultation.