What actions are involved in the crime of forgery?

The crime of forgery fundamentally involves the act of falsely making or altering a document with the intent to deceive and induce reliance on that document. This encompasses a broad range of actions that involve the manipulation of documents, which can include creating a document that is not genuine or modifying an authentic document in a way that changes its meaning or validity. The intent behind forgery is critical; it inherently involves the purpose of misleading another person or entity into believing that the document is valid when it is not.

While options such as delivering a false document, altering a document for personal gain, and counterfeiting a signature reflect aspects of forgery, the essence of the charge resides in the overarching definition of falsely making or altering a document. This definition correctly encapsulates the primary actions associated with forgery, which are focused on deceit and the manipulation of documents to achieve unlawful benefits. Thus, choosing this option aligns closely with the legal definition and understanding of forgery within the criminal justice framework.