Penalty for Creating and Using Fake Money

A story about a man giving fake money to people has broken the internet. In the video about the counterfeit money penalty, the man said he always keeps fake Hollywood money in his car so that he will give them fake five-dollar bills when a homeless person asks him for money. 

He said he feels good about doing it because when people go to use the counterfeit money, they will get the penalty. By doing so, he is helping to clean up the community by getting them off the streets. So people are also wondering if the man is not guilty since he is the one giving out the fake money. 

Will You Go to Jail For Using Counterfeit Money?

Attorney Ugo Lord, known for his professional law opinions, gave his view concerning the video. He said that if you ever encounter Hollywood prop money, you will see it looks real. But when you examine it closely, there are telltale signs that will let you know that it is fake money. 

It would be easy for the homeless person to know that the money is fake. However, the man claims his objective is to get the homeless off the street. But he is the one who is going to enjoy three square meals in prison because it doesn’t matter if the Hollywood money is fake. 

Anytime you attempt to use or give fake money as real money, authorities consider it counterfeit. Therefore, officers can arrest the man because he is guilty of passing counterfeit dollar bills.

How Long Can One Stay in Prison for Counterfeit Money Penalty?

In the United States, creating or using counterfeit money is a very serious crime. It can lead to severe legal charges under both national and local legislation. The goal of the US federal government’s anti-counterfeiting legislation is to safeguard the nation’s money and economy from counterfeit money penalties.

You are breaking the law when you falsify, forge, or modify a security measure used by the United States. It is a federal offense to create, use, or possess counterfeit or fake US money with the purpose of defrauding. 

The federal statute, 18 U.S. Code § 471, specifies that if you counterfeit an American security intending to defraud, you can face fines and imprisonment for a maximum of 20 years. However, every state has different counterfeit money penalties. 

For instance, if you are caught possessing a counterfeit object in California, you can be jailed for up to three years. This offense is classified as a misdemeanor or felony. According to 18 U.S. Code § 471, the prosecution must prove that you intended to deceive another individual.

If not, you can argue that you had no idea the item was fake and, therefore, had no intention of defrauding anyone. As a result, you would avoid the counterfeit money penalty.

Can Authorities Arrest Someone for Forging Documents?

Authorities can arrest you for forging other documents related to money in the United States. For example, they can arrest you if you possess treasury notes or federal reserves. Other valuables that can put you in jail include certificates of deposit, stamps, drafts, and checks.

Possessing counterfeits of valuables issued under a congressional act signed by or authorized by US officials is a crime. Authorities can also arrest you for having canceled US stamps, coupons, certificates of debt, and bonds.

What Should I Do if I Get Caught Using Counterfeit Money Without Knowing?

Before the prosecution can convict you of counterfeiting, they must prove two things:

• You had criminal intent.

• You created, used, or possessed the counterfeit money intending to deceive another person, similar to the man in the video.

Counterfeit money can easily deceive people who are unaware of its authenticity.

Therefore, having a competent lawyer is essential. If your lawyer can demonstrate to the court that you were unaware the money was counterfeit, you may avoid the penalties associated with counterfeit money.

Conclusion

If a homeless person asks you for money and you don’t have any, it’s best to politely walk away. Giving them counterfeit money, knowing they could face penalties if caught, constitutes a crime. Learning how to differentiate between fake and genuine currency is also important to avoid unintended legal consequences.