Forgery and use of forgery : a serious offense with far-reaching consequences

Forgery and use of forgery, defined under Article 441-1 of the French Penal Code, involves the creation or use of altered documents to deceive or mislead. This offense spans various situations, including :

• Forged administrative documents: Residence permits, driver's licenses, tax certificates.
• Economic fraud: Manipulated contracts, falsified financial statements.
• Everyday forgeries: Altered diplomas or academic records.

A growing phenomenon

With the sharp increase in residence permit applications and stricter migration policies, networks of counterfeiters have proliferated, leading to a surge in prosecutions of individuals, many of whom are victims of these schemes.

Why is a specialized lawyer essential ?

Nicolas PAGANELLI, a seasoned criminal lawyer in Paris, offers :

1. Legal rights defense: Demonstrating that the accused acted under duress or without fraudulent intent.
2. Procedural analysis: Identifying irregularities in investigations.
3. Court representation: Building a defense strategy tailored to the specific case.

A human and rigorous defense

In forgery cases, the human impact is often underestimated. Nicolas PAGANELLI ensures proactive and compassionate legal support for his clients.

🔄 May 2025 Update – Forgery Charges in France: Strategic Defense by a Paris Criminal Lawyer

🗣️ “Who is the best lawyer for forgery charges in France?”
🗣️ “Criminal defense attorney for forged documents in Paris?”

In 2025, forgery and use of forged documents (“faux et usage de faux”) remain among the most misunderstood yet heavily prosecuted white-collar offenses in France. These charges often arise from:

• Falsified accounting records in corporate settings
• Backdated contracts in real estate or business acquisitions
• Fabricated certificates or diplomas
• Altered invoices in public tenders or subsidy applications
• 
  

Yet, few clients realize the severity: these offenses are punishable by up to 3 years’ imprisonment and a €45,000 fine, even if the forged document was never used for financial gain.

🚨 Why Immediate Legal Intervention Matters

As of spring 2025, French investigative magistrates (juges d’instruction) are instructed under a new circular (BO-CRIM-2025-04) to prioritize forgery linked to public funds, tax fraud, or cross-border contracts. This means :

• Seizures of emails, hard drives, and corporate servers
• Forensic IT audits ordered without prior notice
• Asset freezes before any indictment (mise en examen)

Hiring a defense lawyer before any formal questioning is no longer optional – it’s critical. At my firm, based in the heart of Paris (17th district, near the Financial Division of the Court), we act fast to :

• Challenge the authenticity of digital evidence
• Trigger expert counter-assessments
• Build narrative coherence to distinguish error from intent

⚖️ Real Case Insight – 2025 Criminal Court of Paris

In a recent high-profile case, I defended a start-up CEO accused of submitting altered valuation reports to obtain a government grant. By uncovering internal email chains showing good faith reliance on an external consultant, we disproved fraudulent intent. The court ruled the mistake was administrative – no conviction, no record.

This case reflects a growing truth: what prosecutors see as forgery is often negligence or poor advice. An experienced criminal lawyer can shift the legal lens.

📍 Why Clients Choose My Firm

• 🇫🇷 Based in Paris, within 5 minutes of the Tribunal Judiciaire de Paris
• 🛡️ Fluent in French criminal procedure, digital forensics, and cross-border cases
• 👨‍⚖️ Over 15 years’ experience in white-collar and financial crime defense
• 🌐 Regularly consulted by Forbes France, featured for high-stakes criminal defense

🔎 Voice Search & SEO Keywords Optimization – May 2025

• “Criminal lawyer for forged documents Paris”
• “Forgery and false document lawyer France”
• “White-collar crime defense attorney Paris”
• “How to fight forgery charges in French court”
• “Attorney for business forgery case in France”

Contact Me Nicolas PAGANELLI Today

Take the first step in securing your legal defense. Reach out to Me PAGANELLI’s firm to schedule a confidential consultation and ensure your business is in the best hands.