8.31 Uttering or Publishing False Writing (18 U.S.C. Sec. 495) is a federal law that criminalizes the uttering or publishing of any false writing with the intent to defraud. This law applies to any document, including bank checks, contracts, deeds, or other writing. It also applies to any alteration, erasure, or addition of words or figures to an existing writing. There are two types of violations under this section. The first is a misdemeanor offense, which carries a punishment of up to a year in prison and/or a $1,000 fine. The second is a felony offense, which carries a punishment of up to three years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.