(a) A person forges a written instrument if, with purpose to defraud, the person makes, completes, alters, counterfeits, possesses, or utters any written instrument that purports to be or is calculated to become or to represent if completed the act of:
(1) A person who did not authorize that act;
(2) A fictitious person; or
(3) A person who authorized an act that was not authorized by law.
(b) A person commits forgery in the first degree if he or she forges a written instrument that is:
(1) Money, a security, a postage or revenue stamp, or other instrument issued by a government; or
(2) A stock, bond, or similar instrument representing an interest in property or a claim against a corporation or its property.
(c) A person commits forgery in the second degree if he or she forges a written instrument that is:
(1) A deed, will, codicil, contract, assignment, check, commercial instrument, credit card, or other written instrument that does or may evidence, create, transfer, terminate, or otherwise affect a legal right, interest, obligation, or status;
(2) A public record, or an instrument filed or required by law to be filed, or an instrument legally entitled to be filed in a public office or with a public servant; or
(3) A written instrument officially issued or created by a public office, public servant, or government agent.
(d) Forgery in the first degree is a Class B felony.
(e) Forgery in the second degree is a Class C felony.
Structure Arkansas Code
Subtitle 4 - Offenses Against Property
Chapter 37 - Forgery and Fraudulent Practices
Subchapter 2 - Offenses Generally
§ 5-37-202. Falsifying a business record
§ 5-37-203. Defrauding a secured creditor
§ 5-37-204. Fraud in insolvency
§ 5-37-205. Issuing a false financial statement
§ 5-37-206. Receiving a deposit in a failing financial institution
§ 5-37-207. Fraudulent use of a credit card or debit card
§ 5-37-208. Criminal impersonation
§ 5-37-209. Criminal possession of a forgery device
§ 5-37-210. Obtaining a signature by deception
§ 5-37-211. Defrauding a judgment creditor
§ 5-37-212. Unlawfully using a slug
§ 5-37-213. Criminal simulation
§ 5-37-214. Fraud — Aggregation of amounts
§ 5-37-215. Fraudulently filing a Uniform Commercial Code financing statement
§ 5-37-216. Defrauding a prospective adoptive parent
§ 5-37-219. Unlawful possession of a skimmer
§ 5-37-226. Filing instruments affecting title or interest in real property
§ 5-37-227. Financial identity fraud — Nonfinancial identity fraud — Restitution — Venue