forgery

A criminal offense at common law and under statutes defining the term variously. 36 Am J2d Forg § 1. Essentially, the false making or material alteration, with intent to defraud, or, under some statutes, intent to injure. (Green v State (Fla) 76 So 2d 645, 49 ALR2d 847), of any writing which, if genuine, might apparently be of legal efficacy or the foundation of a legal liability. 36 Am J2d Forg § 1. For the purposes of a policy of forgery insurance: an act which, under applicable principles of criminal law, will amount to the crime of forgery. 29A Am J Rev ed Ins § 1339. Of course, where a policy insuring against "forgery" contains its own definition of the term, such definition rather than a technical definition of the crime of forgery will prevail. Anno: 52 ALR2d 209. Falsification of a paper or the making of a false paper of legal efficacy apparently capable of effecting a fraud and a fraudulent intent are essentials of the offense of forgery; and the falsity of the writing relates to the want of genuineness in its making and not to the truth or falsity of the statements contained therein. To constitute forgery, the name signed on writings designed and used as instruments of fraud need not be identical with that of the person whose signature it purports to be, but merely idem sonans; and the use of a recurrent middle initial not in the simulated signature is not a fatal variance. Peoples Bank & T. Co. v Fidelity & Casualty Co. 231 NC 510, 57 SE2d 809, 15 ALR2d 996.