A Felony for Fun: When Your Fake ID Has Real Consequences

Fake IDs are something that many teens and underage adults are very familiar with. If a person does not own a fake ID, then they usually know at least one person with a fake ID, or they know how they can go about getting one. For the most part individuals shy away from obtaining fake IDs for fear of the consequences related to their possession. However, there are still individuals who do purchase them, possibly because they do not understand the serious charges related to possession of a fake ID.

Forged Instrument Charges

The actual name of the charge for possession of a fake ID in New York is Second Degree Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument. NY PL 170.25. As a nonviolent class “D” felony you may maintain a chance at probation, but there is also a chance that you could receive up to seven years in prison. Often times, when an individual purchases a fake ID a seven year prison term is never considered as a potential outcome. More and more each day this is becoming an issue though.

According to Iohud, Tomas Popoca-Ramirez was picked up on a routine traffic stop just the other night. When officers asked him what his name was, he provided a false one. Officers later determined that Ramirez was wanted on an arrest warrant out for a misdemeanor charge of criminal possession of a forged instrument in the third degree. After this, when officers discovered the fake ID, he was subsequently charged with second degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. After his arrest he was taken to Rockland County jail to await arraignment.

The New Age of Fake IDs

Fake IDs are increasingly common on college campuses. The technology has advanced to the point that, according to Bedford and Bowery, many students make bulk orders for fake IDs made in overseas countries. The resulting IDs are very convincing, but at the same time they present a risk to the students for identity theft since they are giving their information out online. On the flipside, technology is also catching up to stop the use of fake IDs.

The Daily Orange reported on a bar near a Syracuse campus that is now using a special scanner to check IDs. The machine supposedly is more accurate at checking IDs than the naked eye. One simple scan can determine the validity of an allegedly government issued ID. Each year more and more restaurants and bars are contemplating the use of this ID scanning technology.

Fake IDs are never worth the risk of incarceration. If at the end of the day you are arrested for your fake ID you could face complications extending far beyond the sentence. Even the mere presence of an arrest record can make it difficult to secure employment. With a felony conviction though, you may be ineligible for employment or even student loan money. Some federal grants have restrictions preventing individuals with felonies on their record from being eligible.

The consequences for merely possessing a fake ID are extreme. If you are arrested on a charge for possession of a forged instrument your best course of action may be to contact a licensed criminal law attorney like Phillip J. Murphy. Phillip J. Murphy is licensed to practice in New York and has been practicing law since 1989. The criminal justice process can be very arduous, but retaining the assistance of an experienced attorney can aid in the process. Contact us today to discuss your options.