Magánokirathamisítás

Magánokirathamisítás, a Hungarian legal term, translates to private document forgery. It refers to the act of falsely creating or altering a document intended for private use or transactions, with the intent to deceive or defraud. This offense is codified within the Hungarian Penal Code, specifically in Chapter 17, Section 356.

The core elements of magánokirathamisítás involve two main actions: falsification and the intent to cause harm. Falsification can encompass creating a document entirely from scratch, but it also includes altering an existing genuine document in a way that misrepresents its original content or purpose. This could involve adding false information, erasing legitimate details, or forging signatures. The document in question must be one that typically records private legal relationships or rights, such as contracts, receipts, or private letters of obligation.

Crucially, the forgery must be committed with the intention to deceive or to gain an unfair advantage, which in turn could lead to financial loss or other detriment for another party. The intent to cause damage is a vital component for prosecution. If a document is altered without such intent, or if the document itself does not fall within the scope of private documents, it would not be considered magánokirathamisítás. The penalties for this offense vary depending on the severity of the forgery and the extent of the damage caused, potentially leading to fines or imprisonment.