Two weeks after a man attempted to cash a fake check for over $2,000 at Northland Financial, police in Bismarck, North Dakota, arrested him and his wife. Police said the 47-year-old man was using a stolen vehicle. They charged his wife with harboring a fugitive, and the couple was placed in the Burleigh County Detention Center.
Authorities were alerted to the man’s activities after he drove off from the Northland Financial drive-through lane and left his suspicious check and ID behind. The bank teller had been uncertain of the authenticity of the check he presented.
The man had questioned the teller’s delay before leaving the scene. Bismarck police said that he had allegedly made and cashed other fake checks.
In situations like this, people facing criminal charges could receive a jail sentence, fines and a felony record that impacts future employment prospects. Because of the serious and long-term consequences, a person has a strong interest in mounting a defense to the charges.
A person has a right to legal representation at all stages within the criminal justice system. He or she can have a lawyer present during police questioning and when appearing in court. An attorney could inform the person of his or her rights and perhaps even challenge the charges if the evidence cannot support them. Before entering a guilty or not guilty plea in court, an attorney might help a person understand the pros and cons of each choice. An attorney can also counsel a person if a prosecutor offers a plea bargain and possibly negotiate for better terms if appropriate.
Source: KX News, “Police Capture a Man Wanted for Creating Fake Checks,” Macy Egeland, March 28, 2015
