If a notary participates in a criminal conspiracy and faces multiple convictions, what is the penalty on the third or subsequent conviction?

• A. Misdemeanor
• B. Felony
• C. Administrative penalty
• D. Suspended license

Answer: (B)

When repeated offenses raise the severity level, a third or subsequent conviction for a crime involving a notary jeopardizes public trust enough to be treated as a felony. This reflects how Georgia law escalates penalties for ongoing criminal conduct, especially in roles that require honesty and accuracy like a notary. As a felony, the offense can bring prison time and substantial fines, and it commonly leads to serious administrative consequences such as revocation of the notary commission. The other outcomes—like a misdemeanor classification or purely administrative penalties such as a suspension—do not apply to a third or later conviction, because the law classifies continued criminal behavior as a felony.