The charge of possessing or creating a fake ID is much more serious than many people realize. How seriously it will be taken will depend largely on the specific situation and the accused’s criminal history. Keep reading to find out the three potential penalties that a person can face for obtaining and / or using a fake ID, then contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 if you need a free legal consultation for this or another juvenile crime.
- You Could Go to Jail
- You Could Be Responsible for Paying Significant Fines
- You Could Be Given Probation
If you are convicted of certain false ID crimes, you could end up in jail. This is unlikely in the event of a misdemeanor or first-time offender. Technically, a misdemeanor fake ID crime could come with up to a year in jail but it is much more common for a significantly shorter jail sentence to be issued, such as 90 days. Felony charges on the other hand can bring as long as ten years in prison.
It is very common for a person who is charged with and convicted of obtaining a fake ID to be responsible for paying a fine. The fine can range significantly. A first-time offender could technically be facing fines of up to $1,000 but $500 or less is a more common fine. Once again, felony charges come with a significantly larger punishment: Up to $100,000 in fines.
The third option is that you will be given a period of probation. During this time, you will be required to comply with specific conditions the judge gives you. These conditions can include reporting regularly to a probation officer, notifying said officer if you are leaving town, not spending times with known criminals, paying all required fees (including fines, probation fees, and court fees), maintaining a job, and more. In the event a judge orders probation and the conditions are not met, the judge is likely to either extend probation or impose a jail sentence.
You May Face a Combination of These Punishments
It is also common for a judge to use several or even all three of these punishments. For example, a person convicted of obtaining a fake ID could serve 30 days in jail, be ordered to pay $1,000 in fines, and then be put on probation for 12 months. In other cases, you may only be required to pay fines and be on probation.
The job of your attorney is to fight diligently for the best possible outcome for your case. At Law Office of Michael L. Fell we are highly experienced in finding creative sentencing alternatives. To begin the process of moving on with your case, contact us at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.