Washington legal term
Forged instrument in Washington Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Washington legislative session
In Washington criminal law, “Forged instrument” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Washington criminal code.
What does “Forged instrument” mean in Washington criminal law?
"Forged instrument" means a written instrument which has been falsely made, completed, or altered; (7) "Incomplete written instrument" means one which contains some matter by way of content or authentication but which requires additional matter in order to render it a complete written instrument; (8) "Visual representation" means any pictorial or motion picture representation, regardless of the media used; (9) "Written instrument" means: (a) Any paper, document, or other instrument containing written or printed matter or its equivalent; or (b) any access device, token, stamp, seal, badge, trad (RCW 9A.60.010)
Statutes defining or using this term
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.