Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

I got caught passing counterfeit money

I sold my car to a friend of a friend I didn't know. He paid me in cash as I asked. I put some money into my bank for bill paying and I used some cash on a trip to Disneyland. I was arrested me for passing counterfeit money at the park. I didn't know the cash was counterfeit!

The Secret Service said it will waive/dismiss the misdemeanor charges if I cooperate with them as they try to track down the counterfeit ring thru a business that I used to work at and where the 'friend of a friend' works.

Can I really be charged when I didn't know the money wasn't real? How does an innocent citizen know real from fake? I'm afraid that I might get hurt or killed trying to help break into this counterfeit ring.

Will the bank take that deposit away causing lots of bounced checks? So far I haven't heard anything from them.

This is the first time I've ever sold anything for cash that turned out to be counterfeit.


Asked on 4/06/05, 10:59 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Stone Law Offices of Michael B. Stone Toll Free 1-855-USE-MIKE

Re: I got caught passing counterfeit money

If the bank detects the counterfeit $, yes they will reverse the deposit. If they don't, do you really want to be in the position of defrauding them? I would certainly cooperate. But first, you need to call and make an appointment to see a lawyer and have the "deal" made by the lawyer.

Otherwise you might find out there really is no deal that can be enforced in a court, you go to federal prison, so sad.

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Answered on 4/06/05, 11:33 pm


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