There Are Stiff Penalties for Minors Using Fake IDs to Purchase Alcohol

The Law Office of James Novak is here for clients throughout the greater Tempe area who have been charged with drunk driving or drunk driving-related offenses. While the decision to drive under the influence is a serious offense, you are entitled to have a skilled DUI defense attorney on your side to provide legal counsel.

We notice that many people who are not of legal age to drink often make poor decisions and attempt to purchase alcohol or gain access to bars. Many times this is done with the use of a fake ID. These kinds of choices shouldn’t be taken lightly since it’s a serious crime.

Using Fake Identification is Illegal

Any use of a fake document as proof of age is a violation of the law. This covers the use of a fabricated ID that makes you seem older as well as the use of another person’s ID in an attempt to pretend you are that individual.

Even tampering with or altering a legitimate form of government identification such as a passport or a driver’s license is against the law.

Penalties for the Use of Fake IDs

The penalties for using a fake ID are stiff and vary a bit depending on the circumstances.

Those who use a fake ID to misrepresent their age and purchase alcohol are subject to a fine of up to $2,500 as well as up to six months in jail. In those cases, the person’s legitimate driver’s license is suspended for six months if he or she is convicted. When the minor does not have a legitimate driver’s license, they will be disallowed from applying for a license for six months.

If a minor uses another person’s identity to create a fake ID, this is a potential act of identity theft. Fines can reach up to $150,000 and violators may also be required to spend a year and a half in prison.

Additional Penalties Can Mount from Related Charges

The use of a fake ID is not the only thing that you can be charged for. The penalties can mount up given the circumstances of your case.

For instance, it is a violation of Arizona state law for a person under the age of 21 to drink, purchase, receive, or have in their possession an alcoholic beverage. The same goes for minors falsifying their identity to get into a bar or club. If a minor who is a drunk driver present his or her fake ID to a police officer, that is also a crime. All of these carry their own penalties.

Knowing Your Legal Options and What You Can Do

Given the severity of multiple charges stacked together, it helps to have a skilled attorney working with you on your case. Our firm will help you make smart legal decisions with regard to all such issues, finding ways to reduce penalties when possible.

Learn More About Drunk Driving Cases

For more information about the legal penalties related to drunk driving cases, be sure to contact our DUI defense attorneys today. The entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you with all of your legal needs. We will help you make the right choices with regard to your legal options.