What is the responsibility for forging a signature on documents? – the price of a lawyer’s assistance under Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine

A signature is a special sign of a person, his property, which belongs exclusively to him. No one can take it away from a citizen. In some cases, a signature is an identification of an individual and has the same meaning as a passport. Forging a signature on documents is prosecuted in accordance with the current Criminal Code of Ukraine. A variety of methods are used to forge a signature to achieve the set goals.

The main goal of a person who tries to forge a signature on documents is to give it legal force. As a rule, the signature of an authorized person or official is affixed to the document. If you are charged under Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the lawyers of our law firm Prikhodko and Partners will be able to help you.

Liability under Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine for forging a signature or seal

Although today most legal entities prefer digital signatures and electronic document management, traditional paper record keeping is still preserved. Paper documents are the easiest to forge.

Forgery of documents is an attempt to distort real information, which pursues various goals and necessarily has a criminal intent. Specialists identify 2 main methods of forging documents:

• Partial.
• Full.

To verify the authenticity of documents, including the signature, diagnostic and identification studies are conducted.

Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine provides for various punishments for committing crimes related to forging signatures on documents. The severity of the crime is determined by objective and subjective factors.

Among the components of the crime:

1. The objective side

We are talking about partial/full falsification of documents for further use for personal purposes.

2. The subjective side

The suspect must necessarily have direct intent.

3. Subject

Any subject, in particular, an official, can act as the accused on general grounds.

4. Object

This is a certificate or other document issued by an enterprise, an individual, etc.

According to Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, forging a signature on documents entails administrative and criminal liability:

• Fines.
• Arrest for a period of 6 months or more.
• Restriction of freedom for a period of 2 to 5 years.
• Imprisonment for up to 5 years.

Assistance of a lawyer under Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - forgery of a signature

If you or your loved ones are suspected of committing a crime under Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, the first correct step is to find a professional lawyer. The support of an experienced defense attorney is a guarantee of protection of your interests and full realization of all rights.

Lawyers of the legal company Prykhodko and Partners provide a full range of services:

• Acquaintance with materials of valid criminal proceedings.
• Analysis of collected evidence.
• Collection of evidence base.
• Representation of the client's interests at all stages of the case.
• Appealing the court verdict (if necessary).

We are waiting for consultations! To calculate the exact price of a lawyer's consultation and defense services in court under Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, fill out the form below.