What is the consequence for a person who impersonates a notary?

When a person impersonates a notary, they can face criminal charges because impersonation undermines the trust and integrity essential to the notarial process. Notaries are public officials who serve as unbiased witnesses to the signing of documents, and their authoritative role requires a high level of accountability.

Impersonating a notary can lead to serious legal repercussions because it can involve fraudulent activities or lead to the creation of counterfeit documents, which can harm individuals or affect the legal system. Criminal charges often reflect the severity of the offense and the potential harm caused to individuals or public institutions relying on the authenticity of notarized documents.

In contrast, options like receiving a warning or being fined do not correspond to the serious nature of impersonating a notary, where the implications of such actions are significant and thus warrant more severe legal consequences. The option suggesting a lack of legal penalties fails to recognize the grave risks and legal framework surrounding the notarial profession, which actively protects against abuses of this role.