{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "170.15", "citation": "Penal Law § 170.15", "heading": "Forgery in the first degree", "text": ["§ 170.15 Forgery in the first degree.", "A person is guilty of forgery in the first degree when, with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, he falsely makes, completes or alters a written instrument which is or purports to be, or which is calculated to become or to represent if completed:", "1. Part of an issue of money, stamps, securities or other valuable instruments issued by a government or governmental instrumentality; or", "2. Part of an issue of stock, bonds or other instruments representing interests in or claims against a corporate or other organization or its property.", "Forgery in the first degree is a class C felony."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/170.15", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person commits first-degree forgery by intending to defraud, deceive, or injure another and **falsely making, completing, or altering a written instrument** that is or could become:\n- **(1)** part of an issue of **government money, stamps, securities, or other valuable instruments**; or\n- **(2)** part of an issue of **stock, bonds, or other instruments representing interests in or claims against an organization or its property**. ★\nIt is a **class C felony**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/170.15", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}