<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<section article="gcr" article_name="Criminal Law" number="8-522" title_number="8" title_name="Fraud and Related Crimes" subtitle_number="5" subtitle_name="Public Fraud">
  <level label="a">
    <text>This section applies to a simulated document even if the document contains a statement that it is not legal process or a government document.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A person may not use, sell, or send or deliver to another, with the intent to induce the payment of a claim, a document that:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>simulates a summons, complaint, or other court process of any kind; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>implies that the person is a part of or associated with a unit of the federal government or a unit of the State or a county or municipal government.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>With intent to induce the payment of a claim, a person may not use a seal, insignia, envelope, or any other form that simulates the seal, insignia, envelope, or form of any governmental unit.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>$100 for the first violation; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>$500 for each subsequent violation.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>This section does not prohibit the printing, publication, or distribution of genuine court or legal process forms in blank.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>Proof that the document was mailed or delivered to any person with the intent that it be forwarded to the intended recipient is sufficient proof of sending.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>A person who has been charged with a violation of this section may be prosecuted in the county in which the simulated document was used, sold, sent, or delivered.</text>
  </level>
</section>
