What Happens if I’m Caught with a Fake ID in Missouri?

The State of Missouri takes the matter of fake IDs seriously, and a conviction can lead to steep fines and even jail time. Whether the crime is charged as a misdemeanor or a felony depends on the circumstances involved. Because a fake ID charge can directly affect your future, it’s important to retain professional legal counsel early on. And our experienced Missouri criminal defense lawyer welcomes the opportunity to help you.

There Is a Range of Fake ID Charges in Missouri

If you’re caught with a fake ID in Missouri, the charge you’ll face will depend on the specific circumstances that apply.

Using a Fake ID to Obtain Alcohol

If you’re under 21 and you use a reproduced, modified, or altered driver’s license, state ID card, military ID, or passport to purchase or receive alcohol, you’re guilty of a misdemeanor that comes with a $500 fine for each separate offense. Misrepresenting your age to obtain alcohol, such as by presenting someone else’s genuine ID as your own, is a separate misdemeanor under the same law. Those under the age of 17 may instead be treated as delinquent children and have their cases handled in the juvenile system.

There is also a consequence that many young people find more painful than the fine itself. Under Missouri’s Abuse and Lose law, anyone under 21 who alters an ID or misrepresents their age with one faces suspension or revocation of their driver’s license.

When a Fake ID Becomes Forgery

Missouri’s forgery law reaches beyond signatures on checks. Possessing or using a counterfeit ID as if it were genuine, with the purpose of defrauding someone, fits squarely within the state’s forgery statute. Forgery is a Class D felony that is punishable by up to seven years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.

This is where a fake ID case can escalate quickly. What begins as a $500 alcohol violation can become a felony prosecution if the ID in question is deemed counterfeit rather than borrowed, and the difference between the two charges is life-altering.

Identity Theft

Using another person’s identifying information with the intent to defraud is the separate crime of identity theft in Missouri. The severity of the charge scales with the value of what was obtained, ranging from a misdemeanor up to serious felony levels. While a minor borrowing a friend’s ID to buy beer is unlikely to face an identity theft prosecution, using someone else’s information to open accounts, obtain goods, or access other benefits is another matter entirely.

Considering the Lasting Consequences

In addition to the serious legal penalties, it’s important to take the social consequences of a fake ID charge into careful consideration. These can include all the following:

• Having a far more difficult time finding a job or renting a place to live
• Taking a hit in terms of your social standing
• Facing challenges that relate to higher education, such as being accepted by the school in question, accessing financial aid, and living on campus. If you’re a student at the time, you can also face separate disciplinary actions.

Never wait to consult with a trusted criminal defense lawyer.

Our Experienced Missouri Criminal Defense Lawyer Can Help

Landon Miller is our seasoned Missouri criminal defense attorney at Landon Miller Law, and our team is committed to seeking the most favorable result possible on your behalf. The outcome of your case will directly affect your future, so please do not delay in contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 573-658-1919 for more information about everything we can do to help you today.