Forgery in the Third Degree, New York Penal Law 170.05, is a misdemeanor crime that carries a sentence of up to one year in jail. Forgery, deceive or injure another, he falsely makes, completes or alters a written instrument which is or purports to be.Criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree is a class A misdemeanor forgery crime and can result in up to one year in jail. A forgery is a fake or illegal copy. The (specify) count is Forgery in the Second Degree. Under our law, a person is guilty of Forgery in the Second.