Counterfeiting U.S. currency is almost always prosecuted federally under 18 U.S.C. § 471 because the Secret Service has exclusive jurisdiction over currency offenses. Federal counterfeiting carries severe penalties, and sentences are driven by the federal sentencing guidelines rather than state ranges. Rhode Island has its own counterfeiting statutes that cover altered state documents, forged lottery tickets, gaming tokens, and similar instruments, and those cases stay in Superior Court. Occasionally a small counterfeit currency case ends up in state court when the U.S. Attorney declines to adopt it, but you should never assume that. If federal agents are involved, you need a lawyer comfortable in federal court. A Rhode Island forgery lawyer at Bank & Munns will evaluate federal exposure at the first meeting and coordinate any parallel state and federal defense strategy from day one.