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Underage individuals often borrow identification cards or driver’s licenses from friends or relatives to purchase alcohol or attend age-restricted events. However, state law makes it a crime to buy a fake ID, create a fake ID, use someone else’s ID, or modify a legitimate ID.
Conviction for offenses relating to fake or altered identification cards and driver’s licenses can incur serious punishments. If you are accused of one of these crimes and face charges, you should consider speaking with a Hennepin County fake ID lawyer. Experienced defense attorneys could work diligently to improve the outcome of your case.
If an individual presents a fake ID card to gain entry into a bar and the person checking identification at the door determines the card is fraudulent, there are three possible outcomes. The individual may be denied entry to the establishment, their ID could be confiscated, or law enforcement will be notified.
Bars and other businesses that have age-restricted entry are liable for every person they admit to their premises, and it is illegal to serve alcohol to a minor. If the establishment does not confirm that an ID legally belongs to the person who presented it, it could face fines and potential license suspension or revocation.
The business has no legal responsibility to return a fraudulent ID to the person who presented it at the door. If the business confiscates the fake identification, they can decide whether to turn it over to law enforcement. Once law enforcement becomes involved, the individual who presented the fraudulent card may face criminal charges, and a Hennepin County fake ID lawyer may be needed to help prepare an appropriate defense.
In Hennepin County, the penalties for using fake or fraudulently altered driver’s licenses or official identification cards, providing a false name or date of birth to a police officer, and trying to buy alcohol with fraudulent identification are severe.
State law strictly punishes individuals convicted of manufacturing fake identification cards or identifying oneself as another individual to law enforcement, as both crimes are gross misdemeanors. All other fraudulent ID crimes under this statute are misdemeanors. Those convicted may face penalties of up to a $1,000 fine and 90 days’ imprisonment.
An experienced Hennepin County attorney could work to challenge the state’s claims and mitigate the potential penalties in the event of fraudulent ID conviction.
While many individuals who face criminal charges relating to fraudulent identification may be young people with limited financial resources, it is important to invest in appropriate legal representation. Criminal charges, if not effectively managed, could impact you for the rest of your life.
If you face false identification charges, a Hennepin County fake ID lawyer could help identify the most effective strategies for your case and give you peace of mind throughout the litigation process. Call today to get started on your defense.