§ 97-21-33. Penalty for forgery.
563 words·~3 min read·
/ms/title-97-crimes/article-1-general-provisions/97-21-33·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Except as provided in subsection
(2)of this section for offenses under Sections 97-21-13, 97-21-15, 97-21-17 and 97-21-23, a person convicted of forgery shall be punished as follows:
When the amount of value involved is under One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), by imprisonment in the county jail for a term of not more than six
(6)months, or by a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both, if the court finds substantial and compelling reasons why the offender cannot be safely and effectively supervised in the community, is not amenable to community-based treatment, or poses a significant risk to public safety. If such a finding is not made, the court shall suspend the sentence of imprisonment and impose a period of probation not exceeding one
(1)year or a fine of not more than One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both. A person convicted of a third or subsequent offense under this paragraph (a), where the value of the property is not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), shall be punished by imprisonment in the Penitentiary for a term not exceeding three
(3)years or by a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00), or both.
When the amount of value involved is One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or more but less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), by imprisonment in the Penitentiary for a term not more than five
(5)years, or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both.
When the amount of value involved is Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or more, but less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), by imprisonment in the Penitentiary for a term not exceeding ten
(10)years, or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both.
When the amount of value involved is Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) or more, by imprisonment in the Penitentiary for a term not exceeding twenty
(20)years, or be fined not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both.
A person convicted of forgery under any of the following: Section 97-21-13, relating to counterfeiting of currency or treasury notes of the United States; Section 97-21-15, relating to the counterfeiting of currency of a foreign government; Section 97-21-17, relating to possession of counterfeited currency; or Section 97-21-23, relating to engraving or possessing a plate to counterfeit certain notes, bills, drafts, checks and other evidence of debt, shall be guilty of a felony and shall be punished as follows:
When the amount of value involved is less than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term of not more than five
(5)years, or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both;
When the amount of value involved is Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) or more, but less than Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), by imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for a term not exceeding ten
(10)years, or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both;
When the amount of value involved is Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00) or more, by imprisonment for a term not exceeding twenty
(20)years, or a fine of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both.
The total value of the forgery by the person from a single victim shall be aggregated in determining the gravity of the offense.