18 U.S.C. § 505 – Seals of Courts or Officers (Forgery of Seal)
This law makes it a federal crime to forge judicial signatures or court seals, or to knowingly use forged or counterfeit signatures or seals to authenticate court documents.
This statute targets fraud involving official signatures and seals of courts of the United States and its territories.
It applies to the forgery of judicial or court officer signatures, the forgery or counterfeiting of court seals, and the knowing use or presentation of documents bearing such false signatures or seals for purposes of authentication or evidence.
What the law prohibits.
A person violates this statute if they knowingly:
- Forge the signature of any judge, register, or other officer of a court of the United States or a United States territory
- Forge or counterfeit the seal of any court of the United States or a United States territory
- Concur in using a forged or counterfeit judicial signature or court seal for the purpose of authenticating any proceeding or document
- Tender in evidence any proceeding or document bearing a forged or counterfeit judicial signature or court seal, knowing the signature or seal to be false or counterfeit
Penalties.
A person convicted under this statute shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
If you’re being investigated or charged under a federal court seal or signature forgery statute, call (314) 900-HELP or contact our criminal defense attorneys to discuss your options.
