Is forgery a felony?

Forgery is treated as a felony by the federal government and in all 50 states. It involves possessing, using or creating false writing with the intention to commit a fraud.

Today, there are many situations that require signing of documents to seal contracts or complete certain applications. A good example of forgery is identity theft, which involves assuming the identity of another person. This crime is punishable by a fine and has a prison sentence of up to 15 years. Judges are the ones to determine the most appropriate penalty for a specific crime. However, the law also protects those who are victims of forgery without their knowledge. A good example is when the law protects a person who purchases a vehicle whose documents have been forged by the seller.