Maybe forgery on the guardianship?
Under CRS 18-5-102, Colorado law defines the crime of forgery as making, completing, altering or uttering (offering up) falsified documents with an intent to defraud. The offense may be filed as a
misdemeanor or a
felony depending on the circumstances.
Examples of forged documents include:
- A fake will;
- An unemployment insurance application with a false Social Security number;1
- A made-up letter of recommendation for a job;2
- A false tax return;3 or
- Doctored university transcripts
Colorado also punishes possessing forged instruments or devices capable of producing one.
Penalties
The punishments for forgery depend on the type of document. It is a
class 5 felony to falsify cash, stock certificates, or legal documents. Under CRS 18-5-102, this carries:
Meanwhile, forging most other types of documents is a
class 1 misdemeanor. This carries:
- 6 to 18 months in jail, and/or
- A fine of $500 to $5,000
Possessing a falsified document can be a felony or a misdemeanor. It depends on the document. But it is always a
class 6 felony to possess a device that makes forged instruments. This carries:
- 1 to 1 ½ years in prison, and/or
- A fine of $1,000 to $100,000
Defenses
Three potential forgery defenses are:
- The defendant had no intent to defraud;
- The document was authentic; or
- The police committed misconduct.
CRS 18-5-102 - Forgery in Colorado - Laws & Penalties