While most everyone has likely seen a movie or television show where someone tries to use a fake driver’s license to purchase a case of beer or obtain entry into an adults-only bar or nightclub, the slap on the wrist those characters received is an important illustration of the differences between fiction and reality. Unlike the clumsy 20-year-old college student character nervously trying to purchase a case of beer for his buddies with hilarious hijinks, possessing a fake ID is no laughing matter. In fact, possession of a counterfeit state ID card or driver’s license can range from a Misdemeanor to a Felony with significant potential consequences.
Beyond the obvious fines and potential jail time if convicted, having a criminal record – especially one relating in any way to fraud – increases the chances of difficulty finding preferred employment and housing. If you have been charged with producing, possessing, or distributing a counterfeit ID in Florida, you should take this matter seriously and discuss your legal rights with an experienced Delray Beach fake ID attorney. The student defense attorneys at Leifert & Leifert are ready to help.
Types of Fake ID Charges
Under state law, there are several potential criminal charges relating to fake ID cards and driver’s licenses. These potential charges can include the following:
- Selling or providing a counterfeit ID card or driver’s license
- Possession of an ID card or driver’s license with an incorrect date of birth
- Possession of equipment and materials used for the creation of counterfeit IDs
Depending on the nature of the criminal charges, the penalties can vary greatly. An experienced fake ID lawyer in Delray Beach understands the various factors that can impact the type of charges Prosecutors may try to bring and can help you develop an appropriate defense.
Potential Penalties for Fake ID Convictions
Depending on the facts of the case and the specific criminal charge filed, the potential consequences of a conviction for a fake ID-related charge can be significant. The crime of selling or providing a counterfeit ID can be charged as a third-degree Felony punishable with up to five years in prison and a fine upwards of $5,000. Similarly, a conviction for possession of a fake ID is also a third-degree Felony, which carries a potential prison sentence of five years. A conviction for making or possessing equipment and materials used to create counterfeit IDs is a more serious crime (a second-degree Felony) with a punishment of up to 15 years in prison.
In addition to the criminal penalties, if you are a college or university student and have been charged with a fake ID crime, you could be subject to academic discipline, such as loss of scholarship, suspension, or even expulsion. The combination of a criminal record and a blemished academic record could affect future job prospects. Clearly, the consequences of a fake ID charge conviction are serious and deserve a serious defense from an experienced attorney like those at Leifert & Leifert.
Talk to a Knowledgeable Delray Beach Fake ID Attorney Today
Contrary to popular opinion formed largely by the entertainment industry, fake ID crimes carry significant potential consequences and are no laughing matter. If you are facing such a charge, before you risk fines and potential jail time, you can talk to an experienced Delray Beach fake ID lawyer to better understand your rights and potential defenses. Call us today for a free initial consultation with one of Leifert & Leifert’s knowledgeable attorneys.
