What is the act of forgery?

The act of forgery is defined as making or altering a writing with the intent to defraud. This definition is grounded in the principle that forgery involves the creation of a false document or the alteration of an existing one to deceive others for unlawful gain. The key elements here are the act of "making or altering" and the intention to "defraud," which clearly highlight the fraudulent nature of this action.

Understanding forgery as primarily focused on written documents or signatures helps distinguish it from other criminal acts, such as deception for advantages or causing harm to others. While deception can play a role in forgery, it is not the direct definition of the act itself. Similarly, causing death with criminal negligence and entering unlawfully on property are distinct legal offenses that do not relate to the specific actions involved in forgery.