Counterfeiting

Counterfeiting Defense Attorney in Louisville

40 Years of Federal Criminal Defense Experience in Louisville’s Courts

A federal counterfeiting charge carries serious consequences: substantial prison time, steep fines, and a permanent federal record. These cases are investigated by the U.S. Secret Service, prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky, and tried in federal court. If you’re facing this kind of charge, you need defense counsel who knows how federal cases move in Louisville.

The Simon Law Office has handled federal criminal defense since 1985. Attorney Larry Simon brings over 40 years of experience in state and federal courts, including cases tried in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky. Counterfeiting defense is part of our established federal crimes practice alongside bank robbery and federal drug charges.

Federal counterfeiting charges are time-sensitive. Contact us today for a free consultation with attorney Larry Simon at (502) 822-2074.

Why Louisville Clients Choose The Simon Law Office for Federal Defense

Attorney Larry Simon is recognized by his peers for exactly the kind of work federal counterfeiting defense demands. In 2012, the Kentucky Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers awarded him the Frank E. Haddad, Jr. Award for exceptional professional achievements in criminal defense and sustained impact on the protection of constitutional rights. In 1992, the Louisville Bar Association honored him with the Pro Bono Service Award for his service as conflict counsel for indigent criminal defendants in Jefferson County.

The Simon Law Office is accredited by the Better Business Bureau and offers free initial consultations. Our approach centers on keeping clients informed at every stage: when you understand the law surrounding your case, you can make sound decisions. That’s what we work to ensure from the first conversation forward. Clients work directly with Larry Simon.

How Federal Counterfeiting Cases Move in Louisville

Counterfeiting is primarily prosecuted under 18 U.S. Code Chapter 25, a broad federal statute covering currency, securities, and other instruments. The Secret Service leads investigations, often working alongside Louisville Metro Police. Many people first learn they’re under investigation not from an arrest but from a target letter, a grand jury subpoena, or an agent showing up at their door.

By the time formal charges are filed, the government has often been building its case for months. Engaging a counterfeiting defense attorney in Louisville early can affect how an investigation develops and help protect your constitutional rights from the outset. We understand how these matters proceed from initial federal contact through arraignment, detention hearings, discovery, and trial in the Western District of Kentucky.

Defense Strategies in a Federal Counterfeiting Case

To convict on a federal currency counterfeiting charge, the government must prove the item was similar enough to genuine currency to deceive an ordinary, unsuspecting person and that you acted with intent to defraud. Intent is a required element, and the absence of criminal intent is a recognized defense. So is a challenge to how the government gathered its evidence.

We evaluate every case for:

Constitutional violations: Evidence obtained through an unlawful search or seizure can potentially be challenged and excluded
Sufficiency of evidence: We identify weaknesses in the government’s proof and hold the prosecution to its burden
Lack of intent: Absence of knowledge that items were counterfeit, or lack of intent to defraud, can be central to the defense
Mistaken identity: Federal investigations can sweep in individuals only peripherally connected to the alleged conduct
Negotiated resolution: Depending on the facts, discussions with the U.S. Attorney’s Office about charge reduction or alternative resolution may be an available path

No defense strategy promises a particular outcome. What we do offer is a thorough review of your case and honest counsel about your realistic options.

Get a Free Consultation from a Louisville Counterfeiting Defense Attorney

If you or someone you know is facing a federal counterfeiting investigation or indictment in Louisville, don’t wait. The earlier you have counsel, the more options may remain available.

Call The Simon Law Office at (502) 822-2074 or use our online contact form to schedule your free consultation.

Types of Counterfeiting Under Federal Law

18 U.S. Code Chapter 25 governs counterfeiting and forgery at the federal level. It contains dozens of separate statutes covering a wide range of conduct well beyond fake currency.

Counterfeiting U.S. & Foreign Currency

18 U.S.C. § 471 prohibits falsely producing, altering, or counterfeiting any U.S. obligation, reserve note, bond, or treasury note. Federal law also criminalizes passing or attempting to pass counterfeit currency, forging or passing counterfeit foreign currency, and possessing the plates, digital images, or imprints used to produce counterfeit bills.

Trademark Counterfeiting & Counterfeit Goods

Trafficking in counterfeit goods is addressed by 18 U.S.C. § 2320, the Trademark Counterfeiting Act. This statute covers counterfeit merchandise and services, including pirated goods, counterfeit branded products, and related conduct. The U.S. Secret Service is the primary federal agency authorized to investigate offenses under Chapter 25.

Financial Instruments & Government Documents

Federal counterfeiting law also covers bonds, money orders, postage stamps, government agency seals, court documents, military discharge certificates, and other financial and government documents. If it carries the authority of the federal government or a financial institution, counterfeiting it is generally a federal offense.

Penalties for Federal Counterfeiting Convictions

Federal counterfeiting carries some of the most severe penalties in the white-collar crime category. There is no parole in the federal system. The sentence imposed is the sentence served, subject only to good-time credits.

Counterfeiting U.S. or foreign currency (18 U.S.C. § 471): Up to 20 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000
Possessing counterfeiting plates or reproduction tools: Up to 25 years in federal prison
Counterfeiting or passing counterfeit coins or bars of a denomination higher than 5 cents (18 U.S.C. § 485): Up to 15 years in federal prison
Trafficking in counterfeit goods (18 U.S.C. § 2320), first offense: Up to 10 years and fines up to $2 million
Trafficking in counterfeit goods, subsequent offenses: Up to 20 years and fines up to $5 million

Federal sentencing guidelines provide an advisory range that accounts for the nature of the offense and criminal history. Judges retain discretion to depart from that range based on case-specific circumstances.

Parallel Kentucky State Forgery Charges

A federal counterfeiting charge doesn’t preclude parallel prosecution under Kentucky law. Kentucky Revised Statutes Chapter 516 governs forgery at the state level. First-degree forgery, which covers instruments such as money, checks, stamps, and government securities, is a Class C felony punishable by 5 to 10 years in state prison. Depending on the facts, facing both federal and state prosecution simultaneously is a possibility.

Stages of a Federal Counterfeiting Case

Federal cases typically move faster than state cases. Understanding the process from the start helps you respond appropriately at each stage rather than reacting to developments without context.

Investigation & Initial Contact

Grand jury proceedings are conducted in secret. A subpoena to testify or produce documents is an early signal that a federal investigation is underway. How you respond to that subpoena, or to contact from Secret Service agents, can affect what happens next. We help clients evaluate their options before responding to any federal contact.

Indictment & Arraignment

If a grand jury returns an indictment, the case moves to arraignment in U.S. District Court. A detention hearing may follow to determine whether the defendant will be held or released pending trial. We work to present a strong case for release and begin building the defense strategy from this point forward.

Discovery, Motions & Resolution

Discovery in federal court gives the defense access to the government’s evidence. Motion practice may include challenges to the sufficiency of the indictment, suppression of unlawfully obtained evidence, and other pretrial matters. Depending on the case, plea negotiations with the U.S. Attorney’s Office or preparation for trial may follow. A conviction for federal counterfeiting can also affect employment, professional licenses, and immigration status beyond the prison term and fines, and those consequences factor into how we evaluate every resolution option.

Our Victories

Our History of Successful Outcomes

The moment you walk through our firms doors, we will do everything within our power to help you obtain the peace of mind you deserve. Our Louisville criminal defense attorneys will address each of your concerns, inform you of your rights, and begin to guide you down the path that best suits your needs.

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