Virginia Altered or Forged Tags Lawyers
Helping residents in Alexandria, Fairfax and the entire Northern Virginia area
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Serving residents of Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Prince William County, Loudoun County, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, Arlington County, Alexandria, City of Fredericksburg, City of Manassas Park, City of Manassas, City of Falls Church, Town of Vienna, Town of Herndon, Town of Occoquan, Town of Dumfries, and all of Virginia.
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Helping you fight back.
Whether you have been charged with a Criminal Offense, Serious Criminal Traffic Offense, or have been injured in an Accident that was not your fault, our First-Class Attorneys are not going to let you become a victim! With our experience, we will fight back, with you and for you, to get the results you deserve.
YOU CAN’T AFFORD A CRIMINAL RECORD
When you trust your Altered or Forged Tags charge to our experienced attorneys, we will work closely with you, from the beginning, to explore all aspects of your case, including:
- Dismissal of your Charge
- Reduction of your Charge
- Possible Defenses
- Plea Bargain Options
- Trial to find you “Not Guilty”
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HOW VIRGINIA LAW APPLIES TO YOU
Having handled Thousands of Criminal Traffic Cases in all the Courts of Northern Virginia, we understand how critical your job and/or security clearance are to your livelihood and your family. Altered or Forged Tags is considered a “Crimes of Moral Turpitude.” These are crimes that involve lying, cheating, or stealing. Because of this, if you are convicted of Altered or Forged Tags, you are facing not only significant jail time and a substantial fine; but you will also receive a Permanent Criminal Record with the FBI and Homeland Security and you could potentially lose your job; your security clearance; future employment opportunities; and your future.
NovaLegalGroup, P.C. also helps residents of Virginia with Legal Matters in: Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Burke, Centreville, Fairfax, Mclean, Oakton, Reston and Springfield.
In order for the Commonwealth to prove the charge of Altered or Forged Tags, they must prove:
1. That you, with fraudulent intent, either:
- a. Altered a license plate or decal issued by the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles or by any other state, or
- b. Forged or counterfeited any license plate or decal purporting to have been issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles; or
- c. Held or used any license plate or decal knowing it to have been altered, forged, or falsified.
If you are found guilty of Altered or Forged Tags, the punishment can be very severe. Altered or Forged Tags is a CLASS 1 MISDEMEANOR, punishable by up to 12 MONTHS IN JAIL and a fine of up to $2,500, or both!
In addition to the significant Discovery, Due Diligence and Legal Work we do to get your Altered or Forged Tags case Dismissed, your participation in appropriate programs and classes prior to Court can significantly increase your odds of an even more successful outcome … such as:
- Letters of Recommendation
- Alternatives to Jail Programs
- Community Service
- 8-Hour Driver Improvement Class
- 4-Hour Aggressive/Reckless Driving
Class
Our criminal traffic attorneys have experience successfully handling Altered or Forged Tags charges in all the Courts of Northern Virginia.
With our experience in criminal defense, we have successfully handled thousands of cases, many like yours. We make you 3 GUARANTEES that no other law firms we know of in Northern Virginia offer:
OUR 3 UNIQUE GUARANTEES
- When you call us, you will always speak personally with one of our experienced and successful attorneys about your case, NOT a paralegal or secretary!
- We always design a customized “Plan of Action” just for your case and not just a cookie-cutter template!
- We always provide you with a personalized “Payment Plan” to meet your financial needs!
Under Virginia Code § 46.2-722, this means possessing or using license plates that have been physically changed (e.g., changing a number or letter) or are completely fake (counterfeit). It also includes using forged or altered registration decals, commonly known as the stickers that show the month and year of expiration.
Yes. The law against altered or forged tags specifically includes registration ‘decals.’ Using a fake, stolen, or altered expiration sticker on your license plate is a Class 1 misdemeanor, the same as using a completely counterfeit license plate.
This is a Class 1 misdemeanor, the most serious class of misdemeanor in Virginia. A conviction carries a maximum penalty of up to 12 months in jail, a fine of up to $2,500, or both. It will also result in a mandatory six-month driver’s license suspension from the DMV and a permanent criminal record.
Yes, you can still be charged. However, lack of knowledge or intent can be a powerful defense. The prosecution must prove you knew the tags were altered or forged. An experienced attorney can argue that you bought the car with the tags already on it or had no reason to believe they were fraudulent, which can lead to a dismissal or reduction of the charge.
There is a major difference. Expired registration is a simple traffic infraction, similar to a speeding ticket, which you can often resolve by prepaying a fine. Altered or forged tags is a criminal offense (a Class 1 misdemeanor) that requires a court appearance and carries the possibility of jail time, a criminal record, and a mandatory license suspension.
A conviction for altered or forged tags does not carry any DMV demerit points. However, the consequences are more severe: the DMV will impose a mandatory six-month suspension of your driver’s license upon receiving notice of the conviction.
Yes. If police determine your vehicle is displaying fictitious tags and is improperly registered, they have the authority to have it towed and impounded. You would then be responsible for all towing and storage fees in addition to facing the criminal charge.
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