18 USC 471 prohibits falsely making, forging, counterfeiting, or altering an obligation or other security of the United States with intent to defraud. The maximum imprisonment is twenty years, and a fine may also be imposed. The offense addresses making or altering the covered item; related statutes address other conduct involving counterfeit money or securities. [1]
Intent and the covered item matter
The statute does not criminalize every inaccurate image of currency solely because it resembles money. The government must prove the charged conduct and intent to defraud, and the object must be a covered United States obligation or security. Context, production methods, communications, and intended use can affect the evidence. [1]
For example, altering a genuine bill to misrepresent its denomination raises different factual questions from innocently receiving a suspect note as change. A person who discovers questionable currency should not assume that passing it onward is a safe way to recover the loss; separate laws may apply to knowing use or possession.
The maximum is not a sentencing forecast
A twenty-year ceiling identifies authorized exposure for the count. It does not create a mandatory twenty-year sentence. A court must evaluate the applicable sentencing framework, the offense conduct, criminal history, and other required considerations. Additional charges must each have an independent legal and factual basis.
Federal fines also require a separate calculation. For an individual convicted of a felony, the general fine statute permits up to $250,000 under its ordinary felony provision, while an alternative based on twice gross gain or loss can apply in appropriate circumstances. The greatest applicable authorized amount and any statutory exceptions must be considered. [2]
Questions to resolve in a case
- What item allegedly qualifies as a federal obligation or security?
- What making, forging, counterfeiting, or alteration is charged?
- What evidence supports intent to defraud?
- Which conduct and items support each separate count?
- What loss or gain calculation is proposed?
Do not rely on an old online article quoting a smaller historical fine or imprisonment term. Review the current charge and statutory text. A generic label such as “money crime” cannot establish the applicable sentencing range.
For related issues, see monetary transactions in criminally derived property and civil forfeiture burdens and defenses. Forfeiture, restitution, fines, and imprisonment are different consequences and should be evaluated separately.
Primary sources
Sources checked: October 31, 2026.