Forgery

[L. Fr. fausinerie; Lat. crimen falsi] In criminal law. The fraudulent making or alteration of a writing, to the prejudice of another's right.

4 £1. Com, 247.

A false making

[which includes every alteration of, or addition to a true instrument;] a making, malo animo, of any written instrument, for the purpose of fraud and deceit.

2 Fasfs P, C, 862, c. 19, § 1.

Mr. East says of this definition, that it results from all the authorities ancient and modem, taken together. Id, ibid.

See 2 Russell on, Crimes, 318. Wharton^ s Am, Crim. Law, 335.

The making a thing in imitation of another thing, with a view to deceive and defraud; such as the imitation of the signature, stamp, brand or mark of another, the imitation of a seal. But this is more commonly termed counterfeiting. The thing itself, so falsely made, imitated or forged; especially a forged writing. A forged signature is said to be a forgery.

For the American law of forgery, see 2 Russell on Crimes, (Am. ed. 1850,) 318, notes.

U, S. Digest and Supplement, Forgery and Counterfeiting.

Wharton's Am, Crim, Law, 319 — 349. Lewis* Crim, Law, 290 — 332.