CALIFORNIA PENAL CODE 115 PC – FILING A FALSE OR FORGED DOCUMENT 

California Penal Code Section 115 PC outlines the offense of filing a false or forged document, which involves knowingly submitting a forged or false document to a California government office.

California Penal Code Section 115 outlines the offense of filing a false or forged document, which involves knowingly submitting a forged or false document to a California government office.

An illustrative scenario of a Penal Code 115 charge involves the forging of a property transfer deed, falsely indicating the purchase of a home from a family member. Subsequently, this forged deed is submitted to the county recorder’s office, followed by the acquisition of a substantial loan using the home as collateral. Such actions could lead to charges of filing a false document under Penal Code 115, as well as mortgage fraud charges.

It is important to recognize that a conviction under Penal Code 115, classified as a felony, may result in severe penalties. Notably, the burden of proof lies with the prosecutor, who must demonstrate your awareness of the document’s falsity or forgery at the time of filing.

The act of “offering” a document does not necessitate its successful filing to incur conviction. This code encompasses a wide array of document types filed in a California government office.

“Penal Code Section 115 PC: (a) Every person who knowingly procures or offers any false or forged instrument to be filed, registered, or recorded in any public office within this state, which instrument, if genuine, might be filed, registered, or recorded under any law of this state or of the United States, is guilty of a felony.”

Source: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=PEN&sectionNum=115.

ELEMENTS

To secure a conviction for filing a false document under Penal Code 115 (PC), the prosecutor must prove all the elements of the crime, as outlined in CALCRIM 1945 Jury Instructions. These elements include:

• You either offered a false document to be filed or registered, or you caused a false document to be filed or registered.
• The defendant willingly stated information as true, despite knowing it to be false.
• The false document must have been filed in a public office, either in California or the United States.
• You knew that the document was false or forged at the time of filing.

It’s important to recognize that even if the false or forged document does not actually get filed, you could still be convicted. In other words, the attempt to file the document is sufficient for a conviction.

The key factor that the prosecutor needs to prove is that you knowingly altered or misrepresented information with the intent to defraud.

The term “document” in California Penal Code 115 has been interpreted broadly by courts and prosecutors. While the statute is commonly used to prosecute the filing of false property deeds in real estate fraud schemes, it can also extend to various other types of documents that can be legally filed in a public office.

For example, individuals can face charges under this statute for filing false bail bonds or probation work referrals. Even seemingly unrelated documents, such as fishing records, can potentially be the basis for Filing a False Document charges if they are intentionally falsified and filed.

It is important to note that the range of documents that can fall under this statute is broad, and individuals should exercise caution to avoid engaging in any fraudulent or deceptive filing practices.

EXAMPLE

John, a disgruntled employee, is angry with his employer for not giving him a raise. Seeking revenge, he decides to fabricate evidence against his employer. John drafts a false resignation letter that appears to be from his boss, stating that she secretly embezzled company funds and plans to flee the country. He signs his boss’s name without her knowledge or consent.

Intent on exposing his boss and causing her trouble, John submits the forged resignation letter to the police, claiming he found it accidentally. The police launch an investigation based on the false information, and John’s boss is subject to harassment and unnecessary questioning.

Upon discovering John’s deceit, the police charge him with a violation of the California Penal Code 115, specifically “Filing a False or Forged Document.” Since John knowingly and willfully created a false document and filed it with the intent to deceive and cause harm, he can face criminal charges. If convicted, John may face penalties including fines and potential imprisonment.

PENALTIES, PUNISHMENT, AND SENTENCING

When convicted of filing a false document under Penal Code 115 (PC), you could face serious penalties, including:

• Up to three years in a California state prison
• A fine of up to $10,000
• Formal felony probation

For individuals accused of filing multiple forged documents, each false document filed may result in separate punishment. This means that for every false document submitted, an additional three-year prison sentence could be imposed. Furthermore, restitution may be ordered to compensate any victims who suffered losses due to the fraudulent filings.

In cases where the false filing leads to losses exceeding $65,000 for a property holder, an extra 1-4 years can be added to the sentence. Moreover, an additional 1-5 years may be included in the sentence if the defendant defrauded a property holder of more than $100,000 and was convicted of two or more felony-level fraud offenses during the same criminal proceeding.

ADDITIONAL CONSEQUENCES

A conviction under Penal Code 115 for filing a false document can have additional sentencing enhancements and consequences. For example:

• Additional Fine: If the false document impacted a family home mortgage, you may face an extra fine of up to $75,000.
• Increased Prison Sentence: If your actions resulted in a loss exceeding $65,000 for the victim, and the prosecution can prove your intent to cause the loss, you could face an additional prison term of one to four years.
• Aggravated White Collar Crime Sentencing Enhancement: If your felony offense demonstrates a pattern of criminal conduct, involves two or more victims, and you have been convicted of two or more felony fraud or embezzlement crimes, an additional sentencing enhancement may apply. This enhancement could result in an additional prison term of one to five years, a fine of up to $500,000, or double the amount of fraud involved.

DEFENSES

With a track record of success in handling various fraud-related crimes, our criminal defense lawyer Cyrus Tabibnia can employ a range of strategies to secure the best possible outcome for you.

He will meticulously analyze the details of your case to determine the most effective defense approach. Some common defenses against Penal Code 115 charges include:

• No Intent to Defraud: The prosecution must prove that you willfully intended to defraud someone. An argument can be made that there was no specific intent to defraud, and the act was simply a mistake or a “mistake of fact.”
• Accident Defense: In cases where multiple draft documents are prepared before an official filing, it may be possible to argue that you accidentally filed the wrong draft copy instead of the intended official document, suggesting that it was not an intentional act of filing a false document.
• Consent: Penal Code 115 cases often involve allegations of deceiving a homeowner into signing a property deed. However, if it can be demonstrated that the homeowner initially consented to signing and later forgot about or decided to withdraw their consent for filing the deed, this defense strategy can be utilized.

By utilizing these and other effective defense strategies, Cyrus Tabibnia will work diligently to challenge the charges against you and achieve the best possible outcome in your case.

IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES

Felony offenses like filing false documents under PC 115 are considered crimes involving moral turpitude. As a result, undocumented immigrants may face deportation or other immigration consequences. If you or someone you know is charged with this crime, it is strongly advisable that you also consult with an immigration lawyer. If you do not have or know of an immigration lawyer, the Tabibnia Law Firm can refer you to one.

CAN A DEFENDANT GET A CONVICTION EXPUNGED?

A conviction for violating California Penal Code 115 can potentially be expunged under certain circumstances. In California, expungement is available for some felony convictions, including violations of Penal Code 115, under Penal Code section 1203.4. This provision allows individuals who have completed their probation and met other eligibility criteria to petition the court to have their conviction dismissed.

Upon successful expungement, the individual is deemed not to have been previously convicted of the offense. Expungement does not completely erase the conviction from the individual’s record, but it does change the conviction to a dismissal, which can offer various benefits such as improving employability. However, the conviction may still be accessible in background checks in certain circumstances. If you’re looking for information on expunging a crime in California, contact our Los Angeles expungement attorney. 

RELATED CRIMES

• Forgery – California Penal Code Section 470 PC
• Perjury – California Penal Code Section 118 PC
• Grand Theft – California Penal Code Section 487 PC
• Senior Fraud – California Penal Code 368 PC

SPEAK WITH CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER FROM TABIBNIA LAW FIRM

If you are facing charges for filing a false document under California Penal Code 115, it is crucial to seek the guidance of an experienced Los Angeles criminal defense attorney who specializes in handling complex white-collar cases. Cyrus Tabibnia, a highly skilled and respected attorney, has a wealth of experience defending clients against various fraud-related crimes.

By contacting Cyrus Tabibnia, you can benefit from his extensive knowledge of the law and his exceptional litigation skills. He will thoroughly review the specific details of your case and explore all available options to mount a robust defense on your behalf.

With a proven track record of success, Cyrus Tabibnia understands the gravity of such charges and is dedicated to protecting your rights and securing the best possible outcome for your case.

If you or a loved one is currently under investigation or has been charged with filing a false or forged document, do not hesitate to call Cyrus Tabibnia at 866-713-2159 for expert legal representation and guidance.