(a) A person commits the crime of forgery in the second degree if, with intent to defraud, he or she falsely makes, completes or alters a written instrument which is or purports to be, or which is calculated to become or to represent if completed:

Attorney's Note

Under the Alabama Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:
ClassPrisonFine
Class C felony1 to 10 yearsup to $15,000
For details, see Ala. Code § 13A-5-6

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Terms Used In Alabama Code 13A-9-3

  • Codicil: An addition, change, or supplement to a will executed with the same formalities required for the will itself.
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Deed: The legal instrument used to transfer title in real property from one person to another.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Forgery: The fraudulent signing or alteration of another's name to an instrument such as a deed, mortgage, or check. The intent of the forgery is to deceive or defraud. Source: OCC
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(1) A deed, will, codicil, or contract which does or may evidence, create, transfer, terminate or otherwise affect a legal right, interest, obligation or status; or
(2) A public record, or an instrument filed or required or authorized by law to be filed in a public office or with a public employee; or
(3) A written instrument officially issued or created by a public office, public employees or government agency.
(b) Forgery in the second degree is a Class C felony.