WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT USING A FAKE ID?

Unfortunately, this question is asked frequently at this time of the year. With colleges and universities around the country starting classes, many of the students want to experience more than what campus life has to offer. While some universities allow students under 21 to enter the bars without allowing them to consume alcohol, there are still many establishments that will deny anyone under 21 from getting in. Many students are not deterred and frequently seek alternative ways of getting in, whether that is creating a fake ID reflecting being 21 years old, or using a friends ID that happens to be of age.

While seemingly harmless, using or creating a fake ID to reflect an age of 21 or above can lead to life changing consequences. The State of Illinois has the discretionary authority to suspend or revoke driving privileges without a conviction of any person who violates the laws governing fake driver’s licenses, or anyone caught in possession of another person’s driver’s license.

You can be convicted of a class A misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and fines up to $2,500 for any of the following:

• Lending a license or state ID to a friend or knowingly allowing someone to use it.
• Displaying or representing as one’s own any driver’s license or state ID issued to another person.
• Possessing a fictitious driver’s license or identification card
• Altering or attempting to alter any driver’s license or state ID.

You can also be convicted of a class 4 felony punishable by one to three years imprisonment and fines up to $25,000 for any of the following:

• Possessing a fraudulent Illinois driver’s license or ID card.
• Advertising, distributing, manufacturing, or selling a fraudulent driver’s license.

Aside from the possible fines and prison sentence, you are also facing a mandatory alcohol abuse prevention program. However, after the matter is finished, you will still have to deal with the arrest on your criminal record. Going off to college is an exciting and stressful time in a person’s life. For many students, leaving home to go off to college is the first time that they are living on their own. Often times, a college student makes a single mistake or uses poor judgment and unfortunately, can wind up getting arrested. This is a very serious matter and should not be taken lightly.

Sami is experienced at defending charges involving criminal and traffic matters. If you are charged with an underlying offense of using a fraudulent or fictitious license or ID, call him at (312) 626-2871.