Editing Forgery (section)

===United States===
{{Further|Crimes Act of 1790}}
Forgery is a crime in all jurisdictions within the [[United States]], both state and federal.<ref name="United States">''United States v. Hunt'', [https://casetext.com/case/us-v-hunt-74#p1260 456 F.3d 1255] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115030502/https://casetext.com/case/us-v-hunt-74#p1260 |date=2018-11-15 }}, 1260 ([[10th Cir.]] 2006) ("Historically, forgery was defined as the false making, '''with the intent to defraud''', of a [[legal instrument|document]] which is not what it purports to be, as distinct from a document which is genuine but nevertheless contains a term or representation known to be false.") (internal quotation marks omitted) (emphasis added); see generally, {{USC|10|923}} ("Forgery"); {{USC|18|470|514}} (counterfeiting and forgery-related federal offenses); {{USC|18|1543}} ("Forgery or false use of passport").</ref><ref name="Tooby">{{cite web |title=§ 19.71 S. Forgery |url=https://nortontooby.com/node/16998#booktext |publisher=The Law Offices of Norton Tooby |access-date=2018-11-15 |archive-date=2019-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190423083009/https://nortontooby.com/node/16998#booktext |url-status=live }}</ref> Most states, including [[California]], describe forgery as occurring when a person alters a written [[document]] "with the intent to defraud, knowing that he or she has no authority to do so."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=470.&lawCode=PEN|title=California Legislative Information, Penal Code section 470|access-date=20 July 2017|archive-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115030417/https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=470.&lawCode=PEN|url-status=live}}</ref> The written document usually has to be an instrument of legal significance.  Punishments for forgery vary widely. In California, forgery for an amount under $950<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brady|first1=Katherine|title=California Prop 47 and SB 1310: Representing Immigrants|url=https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/ilrc_advisory_prop_47_s_1310_pdf_0.pdf|website=Immigrant Legal Resource Center1|access-date=1 August 2017|date=November 2014|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801202745/https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/ilrc_advisory_prop_47_s_1310_pdf_0.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> can result in misdemeanor charges and no jail time, while a forgery involving a loss of over $500,000 can result in three years in prison for the forgery plus a five-year "conduct enhancement" for the amount of the loss, yielding eight years in prison.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Couzens|first1=J. Richard|last2=Bigelow|first2=Tricia A.|title=Felony Sentencing After Realignment|url=http://www.courts.ca.gov/partners/documents/felony_sentencing.pdf|website=California Courts|access-date=1 August 2017|date=May 2017|archive-date=1 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801194002/http://www.courts.ca.gov/partners/documents/felony_sentencing.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Connecticut]], forgery in the Third Degree, which is a class B misdemeanor<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_952.htm#sec_53a-140|title=Chapter 952 - Penal Code: Offenses|website=www.cga.ct.gov|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-09|archive-date=2018-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719173640/https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_952.htm#sec_53a-140|url-status=live}}</ref> is punishable by up to 6 months in jail, a $1000 fine, and probation; forgery in the First Degree, which is a class C felony,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_952.htm#sec_53a-138|title=Chapter 952 - Penal Code: Offenses|website=www.cga.ct.gov|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-09|archive-date=2018-07-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719173640/https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_952.htm#sec_53a-138|url-status=live}}</ref> is punishable by a maximum 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 fine, or both.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Norman-Eady|first1=Sandra|last2=Coppolo|first2=George|last3=Reinhart|first3=Christopher|title=Crimes and Their Maximum Penalties|url=https://www.cga.ct.gov/2006/rpt/2006-r-0749.htm|website=Office of Legislative Research|publisher=Connecticut General Assembly|access-date=9 August 2017|date=1 December 2006|archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019232412/https://www.cga.ct.gov/2006/rpt/2006-r-0749.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>