Forgery or altering a prescription is a Class B misdemeanor.

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Prescription forgery is a nonviolent fraud that targets the integrity of a medical document. Because it involves deceiving to obtain medications, it’s taken seriously, but it doesn’t involve violence or a high-risk theft, so it sits at a mid-level offense rather than the most serious category. That mid-level placement is Class B misdemeanor in many states, reflecting enough harm to deter and punish the deceit without elevating it to a felony. The exact penalties vary by jurisdiction, but you’ll typically see jail time on the order of weeks to a few months plus a fine, depending on the circumstances. If there are aggravating factors—like intent to traffic controlled substances, large quantities, or prior offenses—the crime could be charged at a higher level or as a felony, but in standard cases this offense fits Class B.