Legal Question in Criminal Law in Florida

arrested and charge w/ grand theft and uttering a forged document

i recently recieved a cashiers check in the mail from a company that said i won a sweepstake, called the # for the bank on check told it was good, went to cash it and hadn cops called i was very cooperative and told no arrest would be made, three weeks later i was arrested and charged w/2cts of grand theft and 2cts of uttering a forged doc. i never recieved any money and did not forge the check how can i beat these charges i go to court feb.15th 2008. i even gave the police the letter and check and said i would do anything to coopperate and find out where this check came from i feel i am the victim am i?


Asked on 1/28/08, 5:17 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Brent Rose The Orsini & Rose Law Firm

Re: arrested and charge w/ grand theft and uttering a forged document

Usually in these cases, they suspect another person was involved. The scheme goes like this: another person creates this fake check on a laser printer with a company's routing and account number. You, an accomplice (don't take offense, I'm just saying how the scheme would work, not accusing you), would take the check to a check cashing place--not to your own bank--and get the money. Then you play all innocent when the bust comes down.

If they didn't arrest anyone else, I'm not sure where they think they're going with this. If they thought you created the fake check AND cashed it, they'd also charge you with forgery, so they must think someone else is involved.

Either way, you obviously need to get a good criminal lawyer immediately so you can beat this thing. A lawyer can get all the reports from the prosecutor and let you know exactly what the case against you is.

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Answered on 1/28/08, 6:02 pm


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