Every crime in California is defined by a specific code section. Our attorneys explain the law, penalties and best defense strategies for every major crime in California.
Crimes by Code
Every crime in California is defined by a specific code section. Our attorneys explain the law, penalties and best defense strategies for every major crime in California.
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DUI arrests don't always lead to convictions in court. Police officer mistakes, faulty breathalyzers and crime lab errors may get your charges reduced or dismissed. Visit our California DUI page to learn more.
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A criminal record can affect job, immigration, licensing and even housing opportunities. In this section, we offer solutions for clearing up your prior record.
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Most states say that it is illegal to possess counterfeit money if you know the money is counterfeit and try to use it to defraud another person. The crime can lead to either a misdemeanor or felony charge punishable by several years in jail or state prison.
If you are accused of this crime, you can try to challenge the accusation with a legal defense. A few common defenses are to show that you:
Note that counterfeiting is a separate criminal offense. You generally commit the crime when you make, use, sell, or offer services that are identified by a counterfeit mark and do so:
Maybe. The criminal laws of most jurisdictions make it a crime to possess counterfeit money, but only when the following are true:
For example, California law says:
“Every person who possesses or receives, with the intent to pass or facilitate the passage or utterance of any forged, altered, or counterfeit items, or completed items contained in subdivision (d) of Section 470 with intent to defraud, knowing the same to be forged, altered, or counterfeit, is guilty of forgery.”2
You typically act with an intent to defraud someone if you provide false or misleading information to that person and try to:
Note that the above laws apply to counterfeit money as well as other forms of counterfeit currency and counterfeit items, including:
Yes. You can try to challenge criminal charges of possessing counterfeit money with a legal defense.
Ideally, you will want to use a defense that casts reasonable doubt on a prosecutor’s case.
A few common defenses in these criminal cases include showing that:
Note that you should consult with a criminal defense attorney if facing charges because a lawyer will know the best defense to raise.
Most criminal defense lawyers and law firms provide free consultations, which means you typically get all of your legal questions answered for free.
The specific penalties for illegally possessing counterfeit money will depend on:
While some states charge this offense as a misdemeanor, some charge it as a felony offense.4
The potential penalties could include a fine and prison sentence or jail sentence of several years.
Counterfeiting is a separate offense from the crime of possessing counterfeit money.
You are generally guilty of counterfeiting if you:
As with possessing fake money, counterfeiting can lead to either misdemeanor or felony charges punishable by several years in jail or prison.
Note that counterfeiting can be charged under either state laws or federal law.
The main federal counterfeiting law is set forth in 18 U.S.C. 471. Per this statute, you are guilty of counterfeiting if you:
If convicted under this law, you will be guilty of a federal crime and could face up to 20 years in federal prison.7
A former Los Angeles prosecutor, attorney Neil Shouse graduated with honors from UC Berkeley and Harvard Law School (and completed additional graduate studies at MIT). He has been featured on CNN, Good Morning America, Dr Phil, The Today Show and Court TV. Mr Shouse has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Criminal and Top 100 Civil Attorneys.