Sec. 53a-137. Definitions.
Sec. 53a-137. Definitions. The following definitions are applicable to this part:
(1) "Written instrument" means any instrument or article containing written or
printed matter or the equivalent thereof, used for the purpose of reciting, embodying,
conveying or recording information or constituting a symbol or evidence of value, right,
privilege or identification, which is capable of being used to the advantage or disadvantage of some person.
(2) "Complete written instrument" means one which purports to be a genuine written instrument fully drawn with respect to every essential feature thereof. An endorsement, attestation, acknowledgment or other similar signature or statement is deemed
both a complete written instrument in itself and a part of the main instrument in which
it is contained or to which it attaches.
(3) "Incomplete written instrument" means one which contains some matter by way
of content or authentication but which requires additional matter in order to render it a
complete written instrument.
(4) A person "falsely makes" a written instrument when he makes or draws a complete written instrument in its entirety, or an incomplete written instrument, which purports to be an authentic creation of its ostensible maker or drawer, but which is not such
either because the ostensible maker or drawer is fictitious or because, if real, he did not
authorize the making or drawing thereof.
(5) A person "falsely completes" a written instrument when, by adding, inserting
or changing matter, he transforms an incomplete written instrument into a complete
one, without the authority of anyone entitled to grant it, so that such complete instrument
appears or purports to be in all respects an authentic creation of or fully authorized by
its ostensible maker or drawer.
(6) A person "falsely alters" a written instrument when, without the authority of
anyone entitled to grant it, he changes a written instrument, whether it be in complete
or incomplete form, by means of erasure, obliteration, deletion, insertion of new matter,
transposition of matter, or in any other manner, so that such instrument in its thus altered
form appears or purports to be in all respects an authentic creation of or fully authorized
by its ostensible maker or drawer.
(7) "Forged instrument" means a written instrument which has been falsely made,
completed or altered.
(1969, P.A. 828, S. 139.)
Cited. 235 C. 502.
Cited. 11 CA 161. Cited. 47 CA 1.
Cited. 34 CS 606.
Subsec. (1):
Cited. 37 CA 72.
Subsec. (2):
Cited. 207 C. 555.
Subsec. (3):
Cited. 207 C. 555.
Subsec. (5):
Cited. 207 C. 555.