Falsificación de firmas y su penalización en Virginia

Explicación Simple

Si alguien copia la firma de otra persona sin su permiso para hacer que parezca que esa persona firmó algo, eso es un delito. También, hacerse pasar por un policía o un oficial es ilegal y puede tener graves consecuencias.

Es como cuando un amigo toma prestado tu cuaderno y firma tu nombre en un examen; eso no solo es deshonesto, sino que también puede meterte en problemas.

Ejemplo Práctico

Imagina que Juan quiere vender un coche y decide falsificar la firma de su hermano en un contrato de venta. Si su hermano se entera y decide denunciarlo, Juan podría enfrentar un cargo por falsificación de firma.

Texto Original del Estatuto (Inglés)

Va. Code § 18.2-172.2 - Maliciously affixing another's signature to writing; penalty. Any person who maliciously affixes a facsimile or likeness of the signature of another person to any writing without the permission of that person and with the intent to create the false impression that the writing was signed by that person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 2008, c. 595 . Va. Code § 18.2-173 - Having in possession forged coin or bank notes. If any person have in his possession forged bank notes or forged or base coin, such as are mentioned in § 18.2-170 , knowing the same to be forged or base, with the intent to utter or employ the same as true, or to sell, exchange, or deliver them, so as to enable any other person to utter or employ them as true, he shall, if the number of such notes or coins in his possession at the same time, be ten or more, be guilty of a Class 6 felony; and if the number be less than ten, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. Code 1950, § 18.1-97; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15. Article 2. Impersonation. Va. Code § 18.2-174 - Impersonating law-enforcement officer; penalty. Any person who falsely assumes or exercises the functions, powers, duties, and privileges incident to the office of sheriff, police officer, marshal, or other peace officer, or any local, city, county, state, or federal law-enforcement officer, or who falsely assumes or pretends to be any such officer, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense is punishable as a Class 6 felony. Code 1950, § 18.1-311; 1960, c. 358; 1975, cc. 14, 15; 2013, cc. 410 , 431 , 638 .