Final answer:
Notaries engaging in illegal actions or malfeasance can face administrative, civil, or criminal consequences including fines, suspension, or revocation of their commission, and for serious offenses, criminal prosecution may lead to probation, restitution, or imprisonment.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a notary engages in illegal actions or malfeasance, several consequences may follow, similar to those faced by lobbyists and government officials who violate the law. State and federal laws provide guidelines on what constitutes legal or illegal activities for notaries. Attorneys general and prosecutors are the officials typically tasked with enforcing these regulations.
Consequences of malfeasance by a notary can include administrative, civil, or criminal penalties. Depending on the severity of the offense, a notary could face fines, suspension, or revocation of their notary commission. In more serious instances, a notary could even face criminal charges leading to probation, restitution, or imprisonment. All these penalties aim to maintain the integrity of the notary office and deter notaries from committing unlawful acts.