FORGERY

(Fr. forger, to fabricate), at common law, the fraudulent making or alteration of a writing to the prejudice of another man’s rights, or the making, malo animo, of any written {nstrument for the purpose of fraud and deceit: the word making, in this last definition, being considered as including every alteration of or addition to a true instrument; also, the counterfeiting of a seal. The punishment of forgery at common law is, as for a misdemeanour, by fine, imprisonment, and such other corporeal punishment as the court in its discretion shall award. The punish ments ordained for the offence by the statute Jaw in Hngland were once, with scarcely an exception, capital. Capital punishment for forgery was abolished by Acts of 1832 and 1861. The punishment now varies from penal servitude for life, or not more than fourteen or seven years, to imprisonment for not more than two years. The law on the subject has been consolidated by the Forgery Act, 1913.