If you have a fake ID on you or are found making one in the state of California, you could face harsh criminal consequences. The initial step is to get in touch with a California false ID charge attorney. Continue reading to learn more about the possible repercussions of these accusations as well as possible defense strategies. Then contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 for a free legal consultation.
What California law considers to be a false ID is broadly defined
According to the law, a false ID is any ID card that has been altered, counterfeited, falsified, duplicated, forged, or reproduced and is normally issued by a government entity. Passports, driver's licenses, non-driver license ID cards, social security cards, military IDs, and employee ID cards of state or federal employees are among the IDs that are protected by these regulations.
Having and producing a fake ID
The phony ID laws in California encompass two primary offenses. The first offense is having a phony ID. This entails having authority over a phony ID or the ability to do so. This indicates that you can be charged even if the item is not physically present on your person. You might have it in your house or vehicle instead. Additionally, more than one person may have a phony ID. Remember that it's illegal and ineffective to refuse to present an officer your ID.
Making a phony ID is the other common way to be charged with a fake ID offense. This punishes anyone who produce or market false government-issued identification documents when they intend to either conduct fraud themselves or to enable another person to do so.
Possible legal repercussions
The possession of a forged ID is a wobbler violation, which means that the prosecution will weigh several aspects of your case before deciding whether to file a misdemeanor or felony charge against you. For misdemeanor offenses, the punishments can vary from up to a year in county jail and fines as high as $1,000 to up to three years in state prison and fines as high as $10,000.
The authorities may seize any tools used to make the fake ID, such as printers, computers, scanners, etc., if you are accused of making one. This is also a wobbler, punishable by a felony with a maximum sentence of three years in prison and fines of $10,000, or a misdemeanor carrying a maximum sentence of one year in jail and fines of up to $1,000.
Possible measures of defense
Charges of fake identification can be defended in a number of ways, one of which is by demonstrating that you were unaware that the ID was forced, copied, or altered. We can demonstrate that despite possessing a phony ID, you did not have the motivation to use it to commit fraud. We may even demonstrate that the ID belonged to someone else in reality.
Your particular circumstance will determine the best defense for your case. Call Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your legal options.