Local authorities in McLean County charged a man with burglary and forgery after allegedly tendering a fraudulent check, according to an article by The Pantagraph.
Charging documents indicated that this man attempted to use a fraudulent check at a Commerce Bank branch in Normal, Illinois. The fraudulent check in question was in the amount of $2,300.
At this point, the man in question secured his release from police custody with a $25,000 personal recognizance bond. While this man awaits an arraignment scheduled for October 8, it seems like a proper moment to review the Illinois statutes that govern burglary and forgery offenses.
Burglary
The Illinois laws against burglary appear at 720 ILCS 5/19-1. Under this section, a person commits burglary if they knowingly and without authority:
- Enter or remain within an aircraft, building, motor vehicle, railroad car, trailer, or watercraft; and
- Demonstrate an intent to commit theft or any felony crime.
Section 19-1 also furnishes the Illinois punishment for burglary crimes. At a minimum, burglary is charged as a Class 3 felony in Illinois. If convicted, the penalties can include imprisonment for 24 to 60 months and criminal fines up to $25,000.
If burglary involves damage to the aircraft, building, motor vehicle, railroad car, trailer, or watercraft in question, then it becomes a Class 2 felony. If convicted, the penalties can include imprisonment for 36 to 84 months and criminal fines up to $25,000.
If a burglary crime occurs at a specific type of location — such as a school, day care center/home, child care facility, or place of worship — it can become a Class 1 felony. If convicted, the penalties can include imprisonment for 48 months to 15 years and criminal fines up to $25,000.
Forgery
The Illinois laws against forgery appear at 720 ILCS 5/17-3. Under this section, a person commits forgery if they knowingly and with the intent to defraud:
- Make a false document or alter any document to make it false;
- Issues or delivers a false document, knowing the document to be false;
- Possesses a false document with the intent to issue or deliver, knowing the document to be false;
- Utilizes the digital signature of another person unlawfully; or
- Utilizes an electronic signature of another person unlawfully.
Section 17-3 also furnishes the Illinois punishment for forgery crimes. In many circumstances, forgery is charged as a Class 3 felony in Illinois. If convicted, the punishment will mirror the one described for Class 3 felonies above.
If only one Universal Price Code Label is forged, however, this offense becomes a Class 4 felony. If convicted, the penalties can include imprisonment for 24 to 60 months and criminal fines up to $25,000.
If an academic degree or coin is forged, this offense becomes a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted, the penalties can include 364 days in jail and criminal fines up to $2,500.
Do You Need Legal Help?
No matter what the criminal offense, all charges are serious. A sound strategy and an aggressive defense are essential for a positive outcome. To protect your rights in such situations, it is highly advisable to retain legal counsel from an experienced criminal defense attorney.
The Prior Law Firm in Bloomington, Illinois, has proven experience in matters of criminal defense. If you need legal help with criminal defense, contact us today for a free consultation. You can reach The Prior Law Firm by phone at (309) 827-4300, email at johnprior@thepriorlawfirm.com or by completing an online form.