Fake ID Charge Lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio

Caught With a Fake ID in Cincinnati? We Can Help.

College traditions are great. They make campus life richer and more exciting, but when these traditions include illegally using a fake ID to purchase alcohol, it can land you in serious trouble. Having a fake ID may not seem like a big deal to many college students, but in reality it is a type of fraud and a criminal act under Ohio law.

When you go out to a bar using a fake ID or try to purchase alcohol using false identification, you are misrepresenting your identity, which is considered a serious type of fraud. Even if you simply are found carrying the fake ID, it is a crime, whether the police have evidence that you tried to use it or not, you are violating Ohio statute. If you don’t get the help of a skilled Ohio fraud defense attorney, your arrest could seriously derail your college experience.

If you are a student attending any one of the numerous colleges or universities in Hamilton County or the Greater Cincinnati Area, call attorney Brad Groene today.

Penalties for Having or Using a Fake ID in Ohio

If you are caught with a fake ID, you are in more trouble than you may realize. Possession or manufacture of a fake ID or even simply using or altering another student’s old ID is a first-degree misdemeanor in violation of O.R.C. 4510.33. The punishment for this violation can include:

• 1st Offense — Up to 6 months in jail and a fine of $250 to $1,000.
• 2nd Offense — Up to 6 months in jail, a fine of $500 to $1,000, and a driver’s license suspension for up to 1 year.
• 3rd or Subsequent Offense — Up to 6 months in jail, a fine of $500 to $1,000, and a driver’s license suspension for 3 months to 2 years.

For minors, Ohio Rev. Code 4301.99 allows a court to order your license suspended until you turn 21. Not only can you face criminal charges, but you could also find yourself facing school sanctions or even expulsion if you are convicted. Even if your university does not punish you for a false identification conviction, your career prospects may be affected. A criminal conviction can lead to a loss of scholarships or grants while in college, and it can even make finding a job after graduation significantly more challenging.

Penalties for Underage Use of a Fake ID

For a juvenile under age 18, the penalties can work a little differently. When a juvenile is caught using a fake ID to obtain alcohol, the case goes to an Ohio juvenile court. Juvenile courts are structured differently than adult courts. The goal of a juvenile court is to rehabilitate rather than punish a juvenile, so the outcomes can be different than if the offense were committed by someone over 18 who is then prosecuted in an adult criminal court.

When your child or teenager is arrested for using false identification to obtain alcohol, he or she may be charged in a juvenile court. Using a fake ID to obtain alcohol is what is known as a status offense in the juvenile system. A status offense is one that is only an offense because of the person’s age. In this case, Ohio rev. Code 4301.634 specifically defines an offense of furnishing false information to obtain alcohol by a person under 21.

When the false identification charge proceeds in juvenile court, the juvenile will still have to enter a plea just as if he or she was charged in an adult criminal court. There will be a series of hearings in which the juvenile court will consider evidence and testimony to make a decision whether the juvenile is guilty of using a fake ID to obtain alcohol.

If the court determines that the juvenile did use a fake ID, then the juvenile may be sentenced to detention in a youth facility, but more often the court will consider one of several alternatives that are designed to give the juvenile a chance at straightening up and avoiding future trouble. Our fake ID defense attorneys can help you understand your options. Some possible sentencing alternatives for juveniles may include:

• Probation
• Community service
• Alcohol, substance abuse, or mental health treatment
• Placement in foster care
• Home detention

Fraud Charges Related to Having a Fake ID in Ohio

Theses aren’t the only penalties you could face, though. Many students don’t have an actual “fake” fake ID. Often students’ real driver’s licenses are passed down to similar-looking underage siblings or friends once they reach 21. This may seem like a “safer” option for many students, but in reality, it is a more serious crime.

If you are using the genuine ID of another person, you are considered to be committing identity fraud. Under Ohio identity fraud law, using a person’s “personal identifying information” to pretend to be them without their consent in order to commit some act is illegal. This includes as any information that can be used to identify someone, such as a person’s name, telephone number, address, driver’s license, credit card number, or even personal passwords. If you are using an older student’s real ID to purchase alcohol or get into a club or bar, you have committed a fraud as them.

Identity fraud charges carry more serious penalties, as it is a felony in Ohio. Even if the person whose ID you are caught using suffers no harm due to your actions, you can face up to a year in prison and up to $2,500 in fines. This does not even take into consideration the much worse collateral consequences of being convicted of a felony. Contacting a Cincinnati identity theft lawyer in this situation can be vital to help you find the best course of action.

Facing Fake ID Charges? Call an Our Cincinnati Fraud Lawyers Today.

If you are caught with a fake ID, you probably feel scared and don’t know what to do. Being arrested, especially when you are young, is intimidating and confusing. It can be much easier, however, when you have an experienced criminal defense attorney on your side. At Luftman, Heck, and Associates, our Cincinnati criminal defense lawyers have the experience and skills to fight the charges and work within the system to find the best option and keep your future secure. Call our Cincinnati fraud lawyers today at (513) 338-1890 or email us at advice@cincinnaticriminalattorney.com for a free consultation on your case to find out how we may be able to help.