Counterfeiting or forging someone else's handwriting or seal. Using a false document like a driver's license or government ID to commit forgery.Punishment for misdemeanor forgery is a jail sentence of up to one year. You can be convicted of forgery under California law if you "knowingly alter, create, or use a written document, intending to commit a fraud. Filling Out the Report. Once you start the report, you will have 30 minutes to complete it. The purpose of this examination is to determine whether the payee's name appears as the first endorsement and to attempt to detect fraud. If you are in California, you can face criminal charges for forging someone else's signatures or even handwriting. For more in-depth information on forgery laws, refer to the following scholarly articles: Fraud: The Necessity for an Intent to Deceive – UCLA Law Review.