Official forgery in Georgia — Article 341
Official forgery is an official, or a person treated as one, entering false information in an official document or register, drawing up or issuing a false document, or falsifying a document in an organisation's file — for gain or another personal motive (Article 341).
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Possible penalties
| When | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Official forgery | A fine, house arrest from 6 months to 2 years, or imprisonment from 2 to 4 years |
Penalties follow the current text of the Criminal Code of Georgia. In a specific case the outcome depends on the circumstances, compensation of damage, a plea agreement and other factors.
What matters for the defence
- Whether the entry was really false — or a mistake
- Whether there was gain or another personal motive — without it there is no crime
- Who made the entry and on whose instructions
- Handwriting and document examination
If you are accused or arrested
- Use your right to remain silent and ask for a lawyer — from the first contact with the investigating authority
- Don't sign any document you don't understand
- You must be charged within 48 hours of arrest, and within the next 24 hours a court decides on a preventive measure
- Decide on compensating the damage or settling with the victim together with your lawyer
Questions & answers
I made a mistake in a document — is that forgery?
No. Official forgery requires a false entry made knowingly, for gain or another personal motive.
Does it apply only to public officials?
It applies to officials and persons treated as such, including some employees of public legal entities.
What is the penalty?
A fine, house arrest or 2 to 4 years in prison.
Legal basis
Official texts (in Georgian) — Legislative Herald of Georgia, matsne.gov.ge.
Related practice area: Corruption and official crimes
Crimes and penalties
Bribe-taking
Article 338An official taking or demanding money or another benefit for an official act. Penalty: 6 to 15 years.Bribe-giving
Article 339Offering or giving money or a benefit to an official. From a fine to 8 years; a voluntary report releases from liability.Trading in influence
Article 339¹Selling or buying 'connections' — promising, for money, to influence an official's decision. Up to 7 years.Accepting a prohibited gift
Article 340An official accepting a gift the law prohibits. From a fine to 4 years in prison.Need legal advice? Talk to an attorney today.
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