{"id":373844,"date":"2016-10-27T08:45:23","date_gmt":"2016-10-27T13:45:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-forgery-laws.html"},"modified":"2018-03-07T19:26:33","modified_gmt":"2018-03-08T00:26:33","slug":"maryland-forgery-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/maryland-law\/maryland-forgery-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Maryland Forgery Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Maryland Forgery Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last reviewed\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Whether we are talking about President Lincoln\u2019s Lost Love Letters, <\/i>Hitler\u2019s diary, or Howard\u2019s Hughes supposed autobiography<\/a>, forging literary and historical documents isn\u2019t the only type of fraud-related crime that will get you into trouble in Maryland. Forgery typically occurs when a person with the required intent<\/a> to defraud<\/a>, makes or uses a document (such a signature on a check; any entry in an account book or ledger; making a fake letter of credit, bond, draft, or promissory note; or drug prescription) in such a manner that it purports to have been made by another person.<\/p>\n

Forgery can also include forging any deed, negotiable instrument, power of attorney, release or discharge for money or property, title to a motor vehicle, waiver or release of mechanics\u2019 lien, or last will and testament<\/a>. For example, your very rich uncle leaves a will, but doesn\u2019t include you in it. If you were to change the will by adding your own newly drafted page leaving everything to you, that\u2019s a serious forgery crime and can land you in prison.<\/p>\n

Maryland Forgery Laws Overview<\/h2>\n

The charges and penalties under Maryland\u2019s forgery laws are detailed below in the following chart. Keep in mind, forgery crimes oftentimes cross state lines. If so, you may also be facing federal forgery charges<\/a>. Speak with a Maryland attorney to learn more.<\/p>\n\n

Statutes<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Types of Forgery<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Forgery of Specified Financial or Legal Documents<\/li>\n
  • Possession of Counterfeit Documents with the Intent to Defraud<\/li>\n
  • Forging Signature of a Judge, Court Officer, or Other State Employee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Penalties<\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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  • Forgery of Specified Documents: <\/i><\/b>Up to 10 years in prison, up to $10,000 fine<\/li>\n
  • Possession of Counterfeit Documents with Intent to Defraud<\/i><\/b>: Up to three years in prison, up to $1,000 fine<\/li>\n
  • Forging Signature of a Judge, Court Officer, or Other State Employee: <\/i><\/b>Up to five years in prison, up to $10,00 fine<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Associated Crimes <\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n