Alabama Embezzlement and Forgery Laws: Theft Degrees and Penalties

Alabama folds embezzlement into theft of property. Ala. Code 13A-8-1(8) defines "obtains or exerts unauthorized control" to include conduct "heretofore defined or known as" larceny by conversion and embezzlement, so an employee or agent who converts entrusted property commits theft under 13A-8-2. Theft graded by value is a felony once the value exceeds $500, rising to a Class B felony above $2,500.

Forgery has four degrees, set by the kind of instrument, and forging a check is a Class D felony at any amount (13A-9-3.1). There is no time limit to prosecute a felony involving forgery. For other states, see our guide to embezzlement and forgery laws by state.

Information last verified on 2026-10-18. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This article covers the Code of Alabama sections on theft as it applies to embezzlement (13A-8-1 to 13A-8-5 and 13A-8-2.1), aggravated theft of employee retirement benefits (13A-8-2.2), the Ethics Act provisions in 36-25-5 and 36-25-27, the funeral service board-funds offense in 34-13-7, embezzlement of a delivered motor vehicle (32-15-7), bank officer loans (5-6A-26), public retirement forfeiture (36-27D-1), eligibility for office (36-2-1), financial exploitation of the elderly (13A-6-191 and 13A-6-195 to 13A-6-198), misapplication of property and related business offenses (13A-9-45, 13A-9-50, 13A-9-51), the forgery article (13A-9-1 to 13A-9-23, as listed below), sentencing (13A-5-6, 13A-5-7, 13A-5-9, 13A-5-11, 13A-5-12, 15-18-8) and time limits (15-3-1, 15-3-2, 15-3-5). It does not cover the full theft table and retail theft (see Alabama theft laws), identity theft, scams and victim reporting, federal offenses, civil lawsuits or local ordinances.

What is embezzlement in Alabama?

In Alabama, embezzlement is a way of committing theft of property. The theft article defines the key phrase this way:

"OBTAINS OR EXERTS CONTROL or OBTAINS OR EXERTS UNAUTHORIZED CONTROL over property includes, but is not necessarily limited to, the taking, carrying away, or the sale, conveyance, or transfer of title to, or interest in, or possession of, property, and includes but is not necessarily limited to conduct heretofore defined or known as common law larceny by trespassory taking, common law larceny by trick, larceny by conversion, embezzlement, extortion, or obtaining property by false pretenses." (Ala. Code 13A-8-1(8))

The offense itself is in 13A-8-2(a): "A person commits the crime of theft of property if he or she: (1) Knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over the property of another, with intent to deprive the owner of his or her property; (2) Knowingly obtains by deception control over the property of another, with intent to deprive the owner of his or her property."

Three definitions in 13A-8-1 shape how that applies to entrusted money:

• Deprive. "To withhold property or cause it to be withheld from a person permanently or for such period or under such circumstances that all or a portion of its use or benefit would be lost to him or her; or b. To dispose of the property so as to make it unlikely that the owner would recover it" (13A-8-1(2)).
• Owner. "A person, other than the defendant, who has possession of or any other interest in the property involved, even though that interest or possession is unlawful, and without whose consent the defendant has no authority to exert control over the property" (13A-8-1(9)).
• Deception includes when a person knowingly "Fails to correct a false impression when the defendant is under a duty to do so" (13A-8-1(1)(c)).

Statutes that use the word embezzle

A few Alabama statutes name embezzlement as the act punished in a specific setting:

• Employee retirement contributions (13A-8-2.2). "A person commits the crime of aggravated theft of employee retirement benefits if the person embezzles, steals, or unlawfully and willfully abstracts or converts to his or her own use or to the use of another, any of the monies, funds, premiums, credits, or other assets due to be paid as contributions to any employee retirement benefit plan or to any fund connected with an employee retirement benefit plan." It is a Class C felony (13A-8-2.2(d)), created by Act 2025-367. Section 13A-8-2.2(b) states that it is an affirmative defense if an individual, "in the course of his or her employment, acts in good faith reliance upon the direction or supervision of another under color of law or in a position of authority."
• Funeral service board funds (34-13-7). "Any person who embezzles, abstracts, or willfully misapplies any of the monies, funds, security, or credit of the board" created under that chapter, the Alabama Board of Funeral Services, "shall be guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000) and imprisonment in the penitentiary for a period of not less than one year and not more than five years."
• Motor vehicles delivered to a person (32-15-7). "Whoever embezzles or fraudulently converts to his own use or secretes, with intent to embezzle or fraudulently convert to his own use, any motor vehicle delivered to him" commits a Class C felony, punishable by 1 year and 1 day to 10 years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
• Bank officer loans (5-6A-26). A bank officer or employee who obtains bank funds as a borrower without complying with the section's loan-policy requirements "must on conviction be punished as if he had embezzled the amount borrowed."

Is embezzlement a felony in Alabama?

Yes when the value exceeds $500. Because embezzlement is theft, it is graded by the theft degrees, using "The market value of the property at the time and place of the criminal act" (13A-8-1(15)):

• First degree, Class B felony (13A-8-3). "The theft of property which exceeds two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) in value, or property of any value taken from the person of another." Theft of a motor vehicle is also first degree at any value (13A-8-3(b)), as is a common plan or scheme to sell stolen property to a buyer who knows or believes it is stolen when the property taken totals at least $1,000 within 180 days (13A-8-3(c)).
• Second degree, Class C felony (13A-8-4). "The theft of property between one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) in value and two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) in value, and which is not taken from the person of another." Theft of a firearm, a controlled substance or livestock is second degree regardless of value (13A-8-4(c) to (e)).
• Third degree, Class D felony (13A-8-4.1). Theft "that exceeds five hundred dollars ($500) in value but does not exceed one thousand four hundred and ninety-nine dollars ($1,499) in value, and which is not taken from the person of another." Theft of a credit or debit card is third degree regardless of value (13A-8-4.1(c)).
• Fourth degree, Class A misdemeanor (13A-8-5). Theft "which does not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) in value and which is not taken from the person of another."

For property graded by value, exactly $500 is fourth-degree theft and the felony line is anything above it. Under 13A-8-1(15), "Amounts involved in thefts committed pursuant to one scheme or course of conduct, whether from the same person or several persons, may be aggregated in determining the grade of the offense; provided, that only one conviction may be had and only one sentence enforced for all thefts included in such aggregate." The theft degrees do not change based on the victim's age; older victims are covered by the elder exploitation statutes below. For the full theft table, including retail theft, see Alabama theft laws.

Large thefts by deception, including public funds

Aggravated theft by deception (13A-8-2.1) is the high-value offense. A person commits it by "a theft of foreign or domestic funds, cash, or cash equivalent, that includes, but is not limited to, stocks, bonds, investments, or retirement accounts, that exceeds two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) in value, if obtained by deception" (13A-8-2.1(a)(1)), or by "a theft of public funds or revenue of any state, county, or municipal government agency or department, or any governmental or political subdivision that exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) in value, if obtained by deception" (13A-8-2.1(a)(2)).

"Aggravated theft by deception is a felony with a range of punishment of five to 30 years' imprisonment and a fine of up to sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) per violation" (13A-8-2.1(c)). Both prongs require that the property was obtained by deception.

Public officials and public retirement benefits

The Ethics Act (36-25-5 and 36-25-27)

Under 36-25-5(a), "No public official or public employee shall use or cause to be used his or her official position or office to obtain personal gain for himself or herself, or family member of the public employee or family member of the public official, or any business with which the person is associated unless the use and gain are otherwise specifically authorized by law. Personal gain is achieved when the public official, public employee, or a family member thereof receives, obtains, exerts control over, or otherwise converts to personal use the object constituting such personal gain."

The penalty section provides that, "Except as otherwise provided, any person subject to this chapter who intentionally violates any provision of this chapter other than those for which a separate penalty is provided for in this section shall, upon conviction, be guilty of a Class B felony" (36-25-27(a)(1)). A violation that is not intentional is a Class A misdemeanor (36-25-27(a)(2)). A felony prosecution under the Ethics Act "shall be commenced within four years after the commission of the offense," and a misdemeanor prosecution within two years (36-25-27(h), (i)).

Retirement benefit forfeiture (36-27D-1)

Under 36-27D-1, as amended effective October 1, 2026, a member of the Employees' Retirement System, the Teachers' Retirement System, the Judicial Retirement Fund or any other plan administered by the Retirement Systems of Alabama who has an accrued benefit "shall forfeit retirement benefits upon a guilty plea, a plea of no contest, or a final judgment by the trial court" of "Any felony offense if that offense is related to or arises out of, or in connection with, the individual's service in that public position," or of certain other offenses listed in 36-27D-1(a)(2).

The forfeited contributions and interest "shall be used to pay restitution to the public agency, institution, or other entity harmed by the felony offense, if applicable, with any remaining balance refunded to the individual" (36-27D-1(b)). The same 2026 act provides that a public official or employee placed on leave with pay while under investigation for such a felony, upon conviction for that felony, "shall be required to pay back all compensation received since the commission of the felony offense."

Eligibility for office (36-2-1)

Ala. Code 36-2-1(a) makes ineligible to hold office under the authority of the state "Those who shall have been convicted of treason, embezzlement of public funds, malfeasance in office, larceny, bribery or any other crime punishable by imprisonment in the state or federal penitentiary" and "Those against whom there is a judgment unpaid for any moneys received by them in any official capacity due to the United States, this state or any county or municipality thereof."

Fiduciaries, banks and business records

These offenses in Title 13A, Chapter 9 reach misconduct with entrusted property short of theft:

• Misapplication of property (13A-9-51). A person commits the offense "if, with knowledge that he is misapplying and that the misapplication involves substantial risk of loss or detriment to the owner of the property or to a person for whose benefit the property was entrusted, he misapplies or disposes of property that has been entrusted to him as a fiduciary or that is property of the government or a financial institution." It is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Receiving deposits in a failing financial institution (13A-9-50). An officer, manager or other person directing a financial institution who "knowingly receives or permits the receipt of funds, a general deposit or other investment," knowing or having reason to believe that the institution "is about to suspend operations or go into receivership or reorganization" and that the depositor "is unaware of the precarious situation of the institution." It is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Falsifying business records (13A-9-45). "Falsifying business records is a Class B misdemeanor."

Financial exploitation of an elderly person

Alabama's elder exploitation statutes apply to an "ELDERLY PERSON," meaning "A person 60 years of age or older" (13A-6-191(3)). Financial exploitation means "The use of deception, intimidation, undue influence, force, or threat of force to obtain or exert unauthorized control over an elderly person's property with the intent to deprive the elderly person of his or her property or the breach of a fiduciary duty to an elderly person by the person's guardian, conservator, or agent under a power of attorney which results in an unauthorized appropriation, sale, or transfer of the elderly person's property" (13A-6-191(5)).

Grades by the value of the property taken:

• above $2,500: first degree, Class B felony (13A-6-195);
• above $500 up to $2,500: second degree, Class C felony (13A-6-196);
• $500 or less: third degree, Class A misdemeanor (13A-6-197).

"Any prosecution brought for financial exploitation of an elderly person shall be commenced within seven years after the commission of the offense" (13A-6-198(b)). For warning signs and reporting, see our guide to elder financial exploitation.

Forgery in Alabama

Definitions

The forgery article's definitions (13A-9-1) set the terms:

• Falsely make. "To 'falsely make' a written instrument means to make or draw a complete written instrument in its entirety, or an incomplete written instrument, which purports to be authentic creation of its ostensible maker, but which is not either because the ostensible maker is fictitious or because, if real, he did not authorize the making or drawing thereof" (13A-9-1(4)).
• Forged instrument. "A written instrument which has been falsely made, completed or altered" (13A-9-1(7)).
• Intent to defraud. "A purpose to use deception, as defined in Section 13A-8-1(1), or to injure another person's interest which has value" (13A-9-1(8)).
• Utter. "To directly or indirectly offer, assert, declare or put forth a forged instrument as genuine" (13A-9-1(12)).
• Written instrument. "a. Any paper, document or other instrument containing written or printed matter or its equivalent; and b. Any token, stamp, seal, badge, trademark or other evidence or symbol of value, right, privilege or identification, which is capable of being used to the advantage or disadvantage of some person" (13A-9-1(1)).

Four degrees, set by the instrument

Each degree requires that the person, "with intent to defraud," falsely makes, completes or alters a written instrument of the listed kind:

• First degree, Class B felony (13A-9-2). "(1) Part of an issue or series of stamps, securities or other valuable instruments issued by a government or governmental agency; or (2) Part of an issue or series of stock, bonds or other instruments representing interests in or claims against a business enterprise or its property."
• Second degree, Class C felony (13A-9-3). "(1) A deed, will, codicil, or contract which does or may evidence, create, transfer, terminate or otherwise affect a legal right, interest, obligation or status; or (2) A public record, or an instrument filed or required or authorized by law to be filed in a public office or with a public employee; or (3) A written instrument officially issued or created by a public office, public employees or government agency."
• Third degree, Class D felony (13A-9-3.1). "an assignment or a check, draft, note, or other commercial instrument which does or may evidence, create, transfer, terminate, or otherwise affect a legal right, interest, obligation, or status."
• Fourth degree, Class A misdemeanor (13A-9-4). Any other written instrument falsely made, completed or altered with intent to defraud.

Possessing or uttering a forged instrument

Criminal possession of a forged instrument follows the forgery degrees. For example, a person commits the third-degree offense "if he or she possesses or utters a forged instrument of a kind covered in Section 13A-9-3.1 with knowledge that it is forged and with intent to defraud" (13A-9-6.1), a Class D felony. The first degree (13A-9-5) is a Class B felony, the second (13A-9-6) a Class C felony and the fourth (13A-9-7) a Class A misdemeanor.

13A-9-8 states: "A person may not be punished for both the offense of forgery and the offense of criminal possession of a forged instrument with respect to the same instrument, unless arising out of separate and distinct transactions."

Other offenses in the forgery article

• Forgery devices (13A-9-9). Making or possessing, "with knowledge of its character," any device "specifically designed or adapted for use in forging written instruments with intent to use it himself, or to aid or permit another to use it for purposes of forgery" is a Class C felony.
• Criminal simulation (13A-9-10). Making or altering an object, with intent to defraud, "so that it appears to have an antiquity, value, rarity, source or authorship that it does not in fact possess," or possessing or uttering such an object, is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Obtaining a signature by deception (13A-9-11). Causing another by deception to sign or execute a written instrument, "with intent to defraud or to acquire a substantial benefit," is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Offering a false instrument for recording (13A-9-12). Presenting or offering a written instrument affecting real or personal property or contractual relationships to a public office for recording, knowing it "contains a material false statement or material false information, and with intent to defraud," is a Class A misdemeanor. Offering such an instrument affecting a public servant's property or contracts "with the intent to defraud, intimidate, or harass the public servant, or to impede the public servant in the performance of his or her duties" is a Class C felony.
• Worthless negotiable instruments (13A-9-13.1). Negotiating or delivering a negotiable instrument for a thing of value "with the intent, knowledge, or expectation that it will not be honored by the drawee" is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Credit or debit cards (13A-9-14). A person commits illegal possession of a credit or debit card "if, knowing that he or she does not have the consent of the owner, he or she takes, exercises control over, or otherwise uses the card." Using a card known to be stolen, revoked or cancelled, or otherwise unauthorized, to obtain anything of value is fraudulent use. Both are Class D felonies (13A-9-14(e)).
• Criminal impersonation (13A-9-18). Assuming a false identity, or pretending to represent a person or organization, and acting "with intent to gain an economic benefit for himself or another or to injure or defraud another" is a Class B misdemeanor.
• Fraudulent sale or lease of residential real property (13A-9-22). With intent to defraud, listing or advertising residential real property for sale, or renting or leasing it, or causing either, while knowing that the person or the purported seller or lessor has no legal title or authority, is a Class D felony since October 1, 2026 (Act 2026-536; it was a Class A misdemeanor).
• Fake real estate listings, aggravated (13A-9-23). Added by Act 2026-536, effective October 1, 2026. With intent to defraud, listing residential real property for sale, or renting or leasing real property, without legal title or authority, when "(i) the person received funds related to the sale or lease; or (ii) the property is owned individually or jointly by an individual who is 70 years of age or older," is a Class C felony.

If a check was stolen or altered, our guide to mail theft and check washing covers the victim side.

Alabama embezzlement and forgery offenses at a glance

Sentencing ranges, fines and split sentences

Felony ranges come from 13A-5-6(a): "Sentences for felonies shall be for a definite term of imprisonment, which imprisonment includes hard labor, within the following limitations: ... (2) For a Class B felony, not more than 20 years or less than two years. (3) For a Class C felony, not more than 10 years or less than one year and one day. (4) For a Class D felony, not more than five years or less than one year and one day." Misdemeanor terms are maximums: not more than one year for a Class A misdemeanor and six months for a Class B misdemeanor (13A-5-7(a)).

Fines have two limits, and the court can use the second: the class cap (Class B felony $30,000, Class C $15,000, Class D $7,500; Class A misdemeanor $6,000, Class B $3,000) or "Any amount not exceeding double the pecuniary gain to the defendant or loss to the victim caused by the commission of the offense" (13A-5-11(a)(5); 13A-5-12(a)(4)). For that alternative, "gain" means the money or property derived from the crime "less the amount of money or the value of property returned to the victim of the crime or seized or surrendered to lawful authority prior to the time sentence is imposed" (13A-5-11(b)). Section 13A-5-11 "shall not apply if a higher fine is otherwise authorized by law for a specific crime."

Prison time can be split with probation. Section 15-18-8(a) applies "When a defendant is convicted of an offense, other than a sex offense involving a child as defined in Section 15-20A-4, that is a Class A or Class B felony offense, and receives a sentence of 30 years or less." Where "the defendant is convicted of a Class A, Class B, Class C, or Class D felony and the imposed sentence is not more than 15 years," the court may order that the defendant "be confined in a prison, jail-type institution, or treatment institution for a period not exceeding three years, that the execution of the remainder of the sentence be suspended notwithstanding any provision of the law to the contrary, and that the defendant be placed on probation for a period as determined by the court" (15-18-8(a)(1)). Otherwise, probation may be granted whether the offense is punishable by fine or imprisonment or both (15-18-8(b)). Convictions under 13A-8-2.1 and 13A-8-2.2 "shall be treated as a Class A or Class B felony for purposes of Section 15-18-8," and probation for them may not exceed 10 years unless otherwise authorized by law.

Prior felony convictions raise the range under the habitual felony offender statute, 13A-5-9. With one prior Class A, B or C felony, a Class C felony is punished as a Class B felony and a Class B felony as a Class A felony; two or three priors raise it further, up to life. A Class D felony is punished as a Class C felony when the person has two or more prior Class A or B felonies, or three or more prior felonies (13A-5-9(d), (e)). Since October 1, 2026 (Act 2026-496), "convicted" includes out-of-state convictions, and a plea of nolo contendere, no contest, a best interests plea or an Alford plea counts the same as a guilty plea unless it has been expunged (13A-5-9(f)). For the full class table, see Alabama felony classes and misdemeanor penalties.

Time limits for prosecution

• Most felonies, five years. "Except as otherwise provided by law, the prosecution of all felonies, except those specified in Section 15-3-3, Section 15-3-5, or any other felony that has a specified limitations period, shall be commenced within five years after the commission of the offense" (15-3-1).
• Theft by deception, five years from discovery. For theft by deception under 13A-8-2(a)(2), "The limitations period ... does not commence or begin to accrue until the discovery of the facts constituting the deception, after which the prosecution shall be commenced within five years" (13A-8-2(b)).
• Misdemeanors, 12 months. "Unless otherwise provided, the prosecution of all misdemeanors before a circuit or district court must be commenced within 12 months after the commission of the offense" (15-3-2).
• Ethics Act offenses, four years (felony) or two years (misdemeanor) after the commission of the offense (36-25-27(h), (i)).
• Forgery and counterfeiting felonies, no limit. "There is no limitation of time within which a prosecution must be commenced for any of the following offenses: ... (6) Any felony involving forgery of any type. (7) Any felony involving counterfeiting" (15-3-5(a)).
• Aggravated theft offenses, six years from discovery. For both 13A-8-2.1 and 13A-8-2.2, "The limitations period for any prosecution under this section does not commence or begin to accrue until the discovery of the facts constituting the deception, after which the prosecution shall be commenced within six years." The start is delayed until discovery; the period then runs six years.
• Elder financial exploitation, seven years after the commission of the offense (13A-6-198(b)).

Recent changes

• 2025: retirement contributions. Act 2025-367 created 13A-8-2.2, aggravated theft of employee retirement benefits.
• 2025: mail theft. Act 2025-428 created 13A-8-5.1, under which "mail theft is a Class A misdemeanor," a Class D felony "if mail is unlawfully taken from 10-29 addresses" and a Class C felony "if mail is unlawfully taken from 30 or more addresses."
• 2026: three acts effective October 1, 2026. Act 2026-536 raised fraudulent sale or lease of residential real property (13A-9-22) from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony, revised 13A-9-12 and added 13A-9-23 (aggravated fake real estate listings, a Class C felony). Act 2026-496 amended the habitual felony offender statute, 13A-5-9, to count out-of-state convictions and nolo contendere, no contest, best interests and Alford pleas. Act 2026-333 amended the retirement forfeiture statute, 36-27D-1, so forfeited contributions go to restitution, and required repayment of paid leave on conviction.

Federal law separately reaches embezzlement from banks and federal programs and mail or wire fraud schemes; see our embezzlement and forgery laws by state hub. For where to report a fraud scheme, see Alabama scam and fraud laws.

Related pages

• Embezzlement and forgery laws by state
• Alabama theft laws
• Alabama felony classes and misdemeanor penalties
• Alabama scam and fraud laws

This article provides general legal information about Alabama law and is not legal advice. For advice about a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Alabama.

Last updated: 2026-10-18.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is embezzlement a felony in Alabama?

Yes when the value exceeds $500. Embezzlement is theft of property under Ala. Code 13A-8-2, and theft above $500 is third-degree theft, a Class D felony (13A-8-4.1). At $500 or less it is fourth-degree theft, a Class A misdemeanor, unless the property was taken from the person or is a kind graded regardless of value, such as a motor vehicle, firearm or credit card (13A-8-3 to 13A-8-4.1).

What is the penalty for embezzlement in Alabama?

It follows the theft degree: Class B felony above $2,500 (2 to 20 years), Class C from $1,500 to $2,500 (1 year and 1 day to 10 years), and Class D above $500 up to $1,499 (1 year and 1 day to 5 years) under 13A-5-6. Fines can reach $30,000, $15,000 or $7,500, or double the gain or loss (13A-5-11).

Is there a separate embezzlement crime in Alabama?

Ordinary embezzlement is charged as theft, because 13A-8-1(8) folds it into the theft definition. A few statutes use the word for a specific setting, such as 13A-8-2.2 (embezzling contributions owed to an employee retirement plan, a Class C felony).

What happens if a public official steals public money in Alabama?

The theft is graded like any other theft, and theft of public funds over $100,000 obtained by deception is aggravated theft by deception, punishable by 5 to 30 years (13A-8-2.1). The Ethics Act bars using office for personal gain (36-25-5), and an intentional violation is generally a Class B felony (36-25-27). A felony conviction related to the public position forfeits Retirement Systems of Alabama benefits (36-27D-1), and a conviction for embezzlement of public funds makes a person ineligible to hold office under the authority of the state (36-2-1).

Is forging a check a felony in Alabama?

Yes. Falsely making, completing or altering a check, draft, note or other commercial instrument with intent to defraud is third-degree forgery, a Class D felony (13A-9-3.1). Knowingly possessing or uttering a forged check with intent to defraud is also a Class D felony (13A-9-6.1).

Is signing someone else’s name a crime in Alabama?

Under 13A-9-1(4), an instrument is falsely made when it purports to be the authentic creation of its ostensible maker but is not, because the maker is fictitious or, if real, did not authorize it. Forgery also requires intent to defraud.

Is there a statute of limitations for embezzlement in Alabama?

Felony theft generally must be prosecuted within five years (15-3-1), and for theft by deception the five years run from discovery (13A-8-2(b)). Misdemeanor theft and forgery must generally be prosecuted within 12 months (15-3-2). Felony forgery has no time limit (15-3-5(a)(6)), elder financial exploitation has seven years (13A-6-198(b)), and the aggravated theft offenses in 13A-8-2.1 and 13A-8-2.2 have six years that begin to run only on discovery.