If you overcharge for notarial services in Illinois, you may be charged with what for your first offense?

The correct answer is that if you overcharge for notarial services in Illinois, you may be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for your first offense.

In Illinois, notaries public are required to adhere to specific regulations regarding the fees they can charge for their services. Overcharging not only violates these regulations but can also undermine the integrity and trust in the notarial system. A Class A misdemeanor represents a serious offense, with potential penalties that can include fines and imprisonment. This classification underscores the importance placed on ethical conduct and adherence to the law by notaries public, emphasizing that deviations from prescribed conduct are treated seriously.

The other options, like a Class B misdemeanor or a Class 1 felony, don't align with the specific legal consequences outlined for overcharging. A civil penalty typically refers to a financial charge that is imposed without the criminal consequences of misdemeanors or felonies. In the context of the question, the specific charge of a Class A misdemeanor highlights the criminal implications of overcharging for notarial services, differentiating it from merely facing civil penalties or lesser misdemeanor charges.