What constitutes forgery?

Forgery is primarily defined as the act of altering, creating, or using a document with the intent to deceive or defraud another party. This encompasses a range of actions, but central to the definition is the intention to mislead someone regarding the authenticity or true nature of the document.

In the context of the options provided, altering or making a document with intent to defraud captures the essence of forgery. It highlights both the element of modification or creation and the requisite intent to deceive, which are fundamental components of the crime. For instance, forging a signature on a contract or altering a check to increase its value are typical examples of forgery since they are intended to create a false impression that induces reliance by others.

The other options do not fully represent the legal definition of forgery. Making copies of legal documents may involve legitimate practice and does not inherently indicate any intent to defraud. Writing unauthorized checks may be a crime, such as fraud or theft, but it does not always involve forgery unless there is an element of altering or specifically forging a signature. Signing someone else's name legally typically does not fall under forgery if done with permission or in accordance with legal statutes, as there is no intent to create a false document.

Thus,