Forgery under California Penal Code Section 470 PC, is a white collar crime that involves falsifying a signature or seal or counterfeiting documents as part of a fraud scheme.
76-6-502. Possession of forged writing or device for a forgery writing. "Device" means any equipment, mechanism, material, or program. "Writing" means the same as that term is defined in Section 76-6-501.
76-6-405 Theft by deception. (a) An actor commits theft by deception if the actor obtains or exercises control over property of another person: (i) by deception; and (ii) with a purpose to deprive the other person of property.
Presumptions and defenses. Possession of property recently stolen, when no satisfactory explanation of such possession is made, shall be deemed prima facie evidence that the person in possession stole the property.
The first two degrees are felonies and the third degree amounts to a misdemeanor. The first degree forgery involves the actual presentation or use of any falsely made, altered or possessed document with the intent to deceive or defraud. The second degree forgery does not require use or presentation of the documents.
Like other crimes involving theft, theft by deception can range anywhere from a misdemeanor to a second degree felony.
Tampering with a witness. A violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony. A violation under this section does not merge with another substantive offense committed in the course of violating this section.