Which of the following is listed as a potential criminal liability for breach of notarial duties?

• A. Forgery
• B. Fraud
• C. Perjury
• D. Extortion

Answer: (D)

Notaries public can face criminal penalties when their breach of duties involves coercive conduct tied to performing or withholding notarial acts. Extortion fits this breach best because it covers using threats or coercion to obtain money, property, or other advantages in relation to the notarial service. For example, a notary who threatens someone to extract payment or favors as a condition for performing an act would be engaging in extortion. The other options involve different illegal acts: forgery centers on falsifying documents or signatures, fraud on deceitful misrepresentation, and perjury on lying under oath. While those can be criminal issues in other contexts, the situation described by breach of notarial duties aligns with extortion.