South Florida Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog
CRIMES
50 ‘most charged’ crimes defined
COUNTERFEITING
It is a Federal crime for anyone to falsely make or counterfeit any United States Federal Reserve Notes (money, bonds, etc.).
The defendant can be found guilty of that offense only if all of the following facts are proved beyond a reasonable doubt:
- The defendant made a counterfeit federal reserve note (money, bonds, etc.).
- It was done willfully and with intent to defraud.
To act with “intent to defraud” means to act with the specific intent to deceive or cheat, ordinarily for the purpose of causing some financial loss to another or bringing about some financial gain to one’s self.
It is not necessary, however, to prove that the United States or anyone else was in fact defrauded so long as it is established that the defendant acted “with intent to defraud”.