{"jurisdiction": "us-ny", "code": "penal", "section": "170.20", "citation": "Penal Law § 170.20", "heading": "Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree", "text": ["§ 170.20 Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree.", "A person is guilty of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree when, with knowledge that it is forged and with intent to defraud, deceive or injure another, he utters or possesses a forged instrument.", "Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree is a class A misdemeanor."], "official_source": "https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/PEN/170.20", "from_official_api": true, "plain_english": "A person commits third-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument by **uttering or possessing a forged instrument**, knowing it is forged and intending to defraud, deceive, or injure another. ★ It is a **class A misdemeanor**.", "in_force_on": "2026-05-31", "retrieved": "2026-09-27", "url": "https://elyphived.com/us-ny/penal/170.20", "publisher": "Elyphived LLC"}