Use or Possession of a Forged Document: The defendant must have either used, offered, or attempted to use the forged document to defraud or deceive someone. Under California Penal Code 470, forgery is a serious crime.It can mean altering a document, faking a signature, or even duplicating someone's seal. This means that when a person mistakenly fills out a document or with no intent of causing harm, he or she has not technically committed forgery. Forgery in California pertains to a wide variety of crimes. Facing allegations of falsifying business records in San Diego? Our experienced criminal lawyers provide strategic legal counsel to protect your rights. Forgery is a Wobbler, which means the District Attorney can charge it as felony or misdemeanor. Forgery is known as a wobbler and may be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony offense, depending on the facts of the case. According to California PC 470, forgery is the unauthorized, false making or material alteration of a document with the intent to defraud someone.