Hollywood Justice: Fake Bills, Big Dreams, Ice Cold Beer, and Keanu

In today’s post, we’re diving into the case of Joyce v. Commonwealth, where the Court of Appeals reversed a conviction for uttering a forged bill.

Our protagonist, fresh off the set of his latest blockbuster, strolled into a convenience store and flashed a $20 bill clearly marked “prop money” for “motion picture purposes.” The unsuspecting clerk bought the act and handed over a six-pack and some change. But our hero’s enjoyment of his refreshing, ice-cold golden beverage was short-lived. The curtain dropped quickly when the clerk took a closer look and realized the cash was as fake as Keanu’s British accent in Bram Stoker's Dracula. The cops were called, and the trial court ultimately convicted him of felony uttering a forged bill. But the Court of Appeals came to his rescue, ruling that the “money” was so blatantly fake it didn’t even qualify as a forged bill and reversed his conviction. In a rare move, the written opinion even includes a photo of the evidence (the fake bill). So, live out your Hollywood dreams and give it a read.