For what action could one be charged with a Class A misdemeanor besides violating notary laws?

Impersonating a notary without being commissioned is an offense that signifies a serious breach of legal trust and authority. This action is considered a Class A misdemeanor because it involves the misrepresentation of oneself as a public officer, which can undermine the integrity of the notary process and mislead individuals relying on the authenticity of notarial acts.

Impersonation can result in fraudulent activities or the creation of invalid documents, thereby potentially harming individuals or entities who may depend on notarial services for legal transactions. The law takes such offenses seriously to protect the public from deception and to maintain high standards in official document verification processes.

On the other hand, failing to notarize a document, not providing a notarial certificate, and refusing to charge a fee, while improper actions that can lead to administrative issues or civil liability, typically do not rise to the level of criminal conduct characterized by impersonation. Thus, it is the act of impersonation that justifies the Class A misdemeanor classification, as it has broader implications for public trust and legal integrity.