Have You Been Injured? We're Ready to Fight for You.

What Are the Consequences of Having a Fake ID?

Published on Feb 27, 2017 at 12:00 pm in Criminal Defense.
The Law Office of Mike Campbell has joined forces with Thomas Law Offices as of September 1st, 2020. Click here for details.

When it comes to fake IDs, most of us think of high school kids or college underclassmen.  Most often they buy a fake ID online or borrow an older sibling’s drivers license to get into a bar or try to buy alcohol or tobacco.  Even though it is common, it is still a serious offense.  Young people pay no mind to the risk of carrying a fake ID. However, using a fake ID can send you to jail and lead to a permanent record.

Bouncers checking IDs at the front doors of bars can turn all confiscated, suspicious IDs over to the police.  Many bars pay uniformed police officers to monitor activity at the front door or have undercover officers spend time inside.  If caught by these officers using a fake ID, you can be taken into custody immediately.

The laws for using a fake ID vary from state to state.  The state listed on your fake ID does not matter; the state where you are caught using a fake ID determines which state’s laws will apply to you.  Most often the offense is a misdemeanor.  But using a fake ID to attempt to purchase a firearm, hide a criminal history from a police officer, or fly on an airplane are all serious circumstances in which you will likely be charged with a felony.

An arrest for using a fake ID will go on your criminal record.  After a certain amount of time passes, it may be possible to have your record cleared depending on the circumstances of your arrest, plea, and/or conviction.  However, potential employers can still see this information while performing a background check, damaging your chances of getting a job.

Attempting to use a fake ID can also result in the loss of your real driver’s license.  License suspension occurs in many states, even if you are not arrested.  A police officer can turn your information over to the DMV, which will suspend your license for a year.  Repeat offenders can face indefinite periods of driver’s license suspension.

The act of creating a fake ID is even more serious.  Forgery of a state document will likely result in a prison sentence.  Fake passports are an even greater offense.  Driver’s licenses are issued on the state level, while passports are a federally issued document.  The charge for attempting to use a fake passport can lead to very serious federal charges.

Most individuals possessing and attempting to use fake IDs are young and underage and do so because of peer pressure to fit in socially.  The consequences for this mistake can be detrimental to their future.  It is important to know your legal rights if you find yourself or someone you love in this situation.  While laws for having and using fake IDs can be harsh, a competent lawyer can help guide you or a loved one through the process and attempt to minimize the harm to your permanent record.

Our personal injury lawyers believe that a young person’s future does not have to be destroyed by this poor decision.  Contact our experienced legal team today for more information about record expungement or a free, zero-obligation evaluation of your case.  Thomas Law Offices is committed to helping you move past this negative experience and set you once again on the path to a bright future.

Free Case Evaluation

At Thomas Law Offices, our personal injury attorneys recognize that our potential clients are likely going through some of the most difficult times of their lives. We don't want you to have to worry about paying out of pocket for legal advice when you're just starting to learn your legal rights and options. That's why we provide free case evaluations. We'll offer our expert advice about your potential case and walk you through how we can help you.

Call us or fill out the form below to tell us about your potential case and a personal injury lawyer will get back to you as quickly as possible.

Meet Our Founder

Tad Thomas - Trial Lawyer

Tad Thomas

Managing Partner

Tad Thomas has dedicated his practice to representing plaintiffs in various types of civil litigation, including personal injury, business litigation, class actions, and multi-district litigation.

After graduating with his law degree in 2000 from Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University, Mr. Thomas immediately opened his own private practice and began representing injury victims.

In 2011, Thomas Law Offices was established in Louisville, Kentucky. Over the past decade, Mr. Thomas has expanded his firm and now has offices in three additional locations: Cincinnati, Ohio, Columbia, Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois. He is also a frequent lecturer on topics like trial skills and ethics and technology.

Legal & Firm News

How To File a Life Care Centers of America Lawsuit

Finding the right nursing home, rehabilitation center, or assisted living facility for your loved one can involve weeks or months of research and visits. When you think you’ve found the right one, it can feel like a weight lifting off your shoulders. Not every nursing home is what it appears to be at first, though. […]

Read More

Nearly 2,000 Children Sexually Abused by Catholic Clergy in Illinois

Illinois Attorney General (AG) Kwame Raoul announced on May 23, 2023, that his office had completed an investigation that has identified at least 1,997 children abused by an estimated 451 male Catholic clergy during a 90-year period across six dioceses in our state. The multi-year investigation first got underway while the current Illinois AG’s predecessor […]

Read More

How Soon Should a Tetanus Shot Be Given After an Injury?

From motor vehicle accidents to slips and falls and other dangerous property scenarios, and defective product situations, these are only a few examples of personal injury incidents that can seriously hurt someone. While it may be intuitive to seek medical attention if you suspect you’ve suffered harm after one of these accidents, would you also […]

Read More
Tad Thomas on The National Crime Victim Bar Association
National Civil Justice Institute - Trustee
Tad Thomas on Lawyer Minds
Tad Thomas on American Association for Justice
Southern Trial Lawyers Association
Illinois Trial Lawyers Association
Ohio Association for Justice
Kentucky Justice Association
Fellows of the Litigation Counsel of America
Martindale Hubbell Preeminent
2021 Public Justice Member
AAJ Masters of Trial Law: Champion