Fort Lauderdale Counterfeiting Lawyer
If you have been charged with counterfeiting, you need real experienced legal representation real fast
By the time you know that you are being investigated for or charged with counterfeiting money, producing knockoff designer or branded merchandise or falsifying legal documents, the government has already spent a lot of time building a case against you. Investigative agencies like the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service are patient and methodical and typically spend months or more lining up evidence.
Attorneys who defend clients against charges of counterfeiting are criminal law attorneys who are admitted to practice in federal courts. At Kevin J. Kulik, P.A. in Fort Lauderdale, we are up to the challenge of taking on the assistant U.S. attorney and the government to uphold your rights. Federal white collar crime cases are tough and require a well-developed defensive strategy, but even the feds have to follow rules regarding procedures such as search and seizure.
Since the prosecution bears the responsibility of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a case of counterfeiting, attorney Kevin Kulik works hard to make sure that the jury sees enough holes in the government’s case to find enough doubt to acquit. Contact our Fort Lauderdale counterfeiting lawyers for more information.
Have you been charged with counterfeiting currency?
Here is what you could be facing for a conviction of counterfeiting U.S. currency or counterfeiting foreign currency on U.S. soil:
- A fine of up $250,000
- A prison sentence of up to 20 years
- Doubled fines if someone (other than the defendant) either profited or suffered a loss as a result of the crime
It does not matter whether the counterfeit money was a $100 bill or a $1 bill. In fact, counterfeiting anything more than 5 cents carries the same penalties. Counterfeiting charges are not limited to the currency, but also to possession of the tools used in its creation. Reproducing currency, checks, bonds or even postage stamps is also a punishable federal offense, as is the forgery of documents such as passports, Social Security cards and birth certificates.
The crime of counterfeiting currency is so serious that it is handled by the U.S. Secret Service — a federal agency charged with only two missions: protecting U.S. and visiting foreign leaders and protecting the integrity of America’s currency. Counterfeiting is also considered a threat to national security, as counterfeiting is one way in which terrorist activities are funded.
Counterfeiting of goods costs the U.S. economy billions each year and is a federal felony offense
Our federal crime lawyers work extensively with clients who have been charged with producing, distributing and selling counterfeit goods. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the most commonly counterfeited goods include electronics, shoes and pharmaceuticals, followed by CDs and DVDs, clothing, perfume, watches, cigarettes and toys.
Not only do the designers and manufacturers of legitimate products lose money, but their brands’ reputations are compromised by inferior fakes. Drugs in particular seldom meet FDA standards, putting the health of those who use them at risk — and opening the door to additional civil and criminal charges.
Statutes outlawing the production and distribution of counterfeit goods include the Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act, the Trademark Counterfeiting Act of 1984 and the Anti-counterfeiting Consumer Protection Act.
Counterfeit goods penalties include up to ten years’ imprisonment and fines of $500,000 or more. Authorities also seize the goods, the proceeds of the sale and possibly even property, such as vehicles used to transport counterfeit products or machinery and tools used in their manufacture.
Can you afford a counterfeiting conviction?
The fines and penalties associated with goods or currency counterfeiting are high, but a consultation with criminal defense lawyer Kevin Kulik is free. To schedule a time to discuss your needs and concerns in confidence, please call Kevin J. Kulik, P.A. at 954-761-9411 or contact us online. We are located near the River Walk zone in Fort Lauderdale, and we can also arrange to meet you away from the office, if necessary.
