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Using a fake ID for
liquor seems so minor it can hardly be called a crime. Almost
nobody gets caught, and the worst that happens is that they get
thrown out of the
 club.
This isn’t the
biggest crime that can be committed. It’s certainly not a
violent crime. It’s not the same as dealing drugs or smuggling
guns. However, it is a misdemeanor offense. In the U.S.,
penalties vary from state to state, but can include jail time,
fines, community service, and suspension of their (real)
driver’s license.
In some states, the
use of a fake driver’s license has been made into a felony. A
felony is more serious than a misdemeanor. In the short term, it
means more jail time, higher fines, and years-long suspension of
driving privileges. In the long term, a felony means you now
have a criminal record. That will make it much harder for them
to find a job, it can mean difficulties getting into school, and
you may never be allowed to own a gun or vote.
Perhaps the
consequences are meaningless if they aren’t caught. There’s
certainly no way to know how many get caught, but don’t doubt
for a second that it happens. Club owners and employees get very
good at spotting fake ID’s. They have to. Their business depends
on it. And while some clubs may confiscate fake ID’s and hand
them over to the police, once they have it prosecution is sure
to follow. They could be looking at months in jail, and hundreds
of dollars in fines, especially for a repeat offense. They might
think the police have other things to worry about, and in some
places that may be true. However, in areas with large amounts of
underage drinking, like near college campuses, underage drinking
and ID laws is often a focus of law enforcement.
Just having the fake
ID is just one offense. They open themselves to other charges
like possession of alcohol and providing alcohol to other
minors. Going to jail could set back their schooling and cost
them their job. Losing their license may mean court costs when
if they should get their license reinstated, plus the suspension
on their driving record will drive up their insurance costs for
years to come. This is on top of fines.
Making an ID is
tougher than people who tell you how make it sound. The
equipment to make something good is very expensive. Holograms
and magnetic strips are very difficult to produce passably.
Those that sell ID’s always swear that they are of very good quality,
hard to catch, and maybe even come with guarantees and
testimonials. However, they’re probably not any better.
The law doesn’t
apply only to fake ID’s. It includes real ID’s borrowed from
someone old enough who look somewhat like them, real ID’s that
have been altered, or real ID’s obtained with fake documents,
like using a fake birth certificate to get a driver’s license.
If they are
unconcerned about the trouble they might make for themselves,
they should consider the trouble they make for others. The maker
of the fake ID has committed a felony, and they can bet that the
law will want to know where their fake ID came from. The person
who lends their ID to them will suffer all the legal problems as
they will. Just letting someone else use an ID is illegal. The
club owner who lets them in, unless a court or the police decide
the fake was so good there’s no way the owner could know the
difference, also faces fines, suspension (being forced to close
temporarily, which means losing business, which will put a
business under if it happens enough), and outright revocation of
the liquor license. That means the club is out of business. It
has happened to clubs with chronic problems with underage
drinkers. Even if the business doesn’t go under, employees who
sold the liquor can be fined and even fired for failing to spot
a minor.
Not exactly a
victimless crime.
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