Misrepresenting a notarized document in the first degree requires which element?

• A. Intent to mislead a public servant
• B. Knowledge that the document is altered
• C. Negligence
• D. Mistake of identity

Answer: (A)

The element being tested is the intentional deception of a public servant. For a first‑degree misrepresentation of a notarized document, you must show that the person acted with the aim of misleading a public official. This isn’t satisfied by carelessness (negligence) or by simply knowing the document is altered; those factors don’t prove the purposeful intent to deceive. Mistake of identity also doesn’t fit the scenario, as the offense centers on presenting false information or a false document to a public servant. So the key requirement is the intent to mislead a public servant.