What does "forgery" refer to under Georgia law?

Under Georgia law, "forgery" specifically refers to the act of intentionally falsifying a document. This encompasses various actions, such as altering a document or creating a fake document with the intent to deceive. The key element in this definition is the intent to defraud, which includes any act that is aimed at misrepresenting the authenticity or true nature of a document.

This definition aligns closely with how forgery is characterized legally: it's not just about the act of signing, utilizing, or stealing identity; it fundamentally revolves around the misinformation that is being perpetuated through the falsified document. When someone intentionally creates or modifies a document to present it as legitimate or to mislead another party, that constitutes forgery, making it a serious offense under Georgia law.

Other options, while related to fraudulent actions, do not fully encapsulate the legal definition of forgery. For instance, utilizing a forged document in a transaction reflects a separate unlawful act known as "uttering," while the act of signing someone else's name without permission might fall under a different fraudulent practice known as "unauthorized use." Stealing someone’s identity primarily concerns identity theft, which is specifically focused on acquiring personal information, rather than the falsification of documents.