What element is essential for an act to be classified as forgery?

The essential element for an act to be classified as forgery is the intent to deceive. This means that the person committing the act must have the intention of misleading another party or entity through the creation or alteration of a document. For an act to be deemed forgery, it is not enough to simply change a document or sign something; there must be a clear purpose to mislead or defraud someone else, which involves a premeditated design to create a false impression.

In contrast, signing your own name does not qualify as forgery because it lacks the deceptive element necessary for this crime. Similarly, having consent or a legal authority to alter documents would negate the classification as forgery, as it implies lawful action rather than deceit. Lastly, altering a document without the intent to harm does not fulfill the criteria for forgery because without the intention to deceive, the action cannot be classified as fraudulent, which is a fundamental aspect of forgery offenses.