The penalties for forgery in Mississippi vary depending on the value of the falsified instrument. For instruments with a value under $1,000, a conviction may result in county jail time of up to six months, fines, probation, or a combination.

When the value involved is higher — such as $1,000 to less than $5,000 — state law provides for imprisonment in the penitentiary for up to five years and fines of up to $10,000. As the value increases, so do the potential penalties, with some high-value forgery convictions carrying terms of up to 10 or 20 years under Mississippi Code § 97-21-33.

These penalties reflect the seriousness with which Mississippi treats document-related fraud, making it important to seek legal guidance immediately if you face or suspect such charges.