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TCA 39-14-114

Forgery

FELONY EClass E Felony
Sentence enhancement may apply

What does this charge mean?

This statute makes it illegal to forge a document—meaning to fake, alter, or create a false writing with intent to deceive or harm someone. This includes altering someone else's signature, changing dates on documents, creating fake copies of originals, or possessing forged documents intending to use them. A conviction is a Class E felony punishable by 1-6 years in prison and/or a fine up to $3,000. The penalty depends on the value involved, similar to theft charges.

Penalty Details

ClassificationClass E Felony
Maximum Jail1-6 years
Maximum Fine$3,000
Penalty SummaryClass E felony; 1-6 years; fine up to $3,000
(a) A person commits an offense who forges a writing with intent to defraud or harm another. (b) As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) “Forge” means to: (A) Alter, make, complete, execute or authenticate any writing so that it purports to: (i) Be the act of another who did not authorize that act; (ii) Have been executed at a time or place or in a numbered sequence other than was in fact the case; or (iii) Be a copy of an original when no such original existed; (B) Make false entries in books or records; (C) Issue, transfer, register the transfer of, pass, publish, or otherwise utter a writing that is forged within the meaning of subdivision (b)(1)(A); or (D) Possess a writing that is forged within the meaning of subdivision (b)(1)(A) with intent to utter it in a manner specified in subdivision (b)(1)(C); and (2) “Writing” includes printing or any other method of recording information, money, coins, tokens, stamps, seals, credit cards, badges, trademarks, and symbols of value, right, privilege or identification. (c) An offense under this section is punishable as theft pursuant to § 39-14-105, but in no event shall forgery be less than a Class E felony.
View on official sourceLast verified: Feb 25, 2026

Quick Facts

FELONY E
TCA Section39-14-114
Max Jail1-6 years
Max Fine$3,000
Recent Bookings8+

Geographic Distribution

Davidson
50
Knox
26
Shelby
13
Fayette
12
Loudon
10
Houston
10
Washington
7
Sevier
6
Putnam
6
Hamilton
6
Sumner
4
Bradley
4

+ 19 more counties