Question: If I have the permission to forge a person's signature on a check, is that considered a crime?
Answer: Yes it is. The relevant statute is A.R.S. § 13-2002(A)(3) where it states "A person commits forgery if, with intent to defraud, the person offers or presents, whether accepted or not, a forged instrument or one that contains false information." Now you mayhave permission to forge the person's signature, but possessing the document with the forged signature could be deemed an offense if it could be shown that you intended to defraud someone. For example, if you were to present a check forged by you to a bank for deposit, you are essentially saying the signature on the document is that of the person to whom the check was issued. Essentially you have the intent to fool, trick or basically defraud the bank. It does not necessarily have to be done with the intent for financial gain, where you are receiving the money to be deposited.
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