If you’re charged with having or using a fake ID in Columbia, MO, especially as a student at the University of Missouri, Columbia College, or Stephens College, you may face more than just a small punishment. In Missouri, using or showing a fake or changed ID to get alcohol is against the law. Under Missouri law, it’s illegal for anyone under 21 to lie about their age or use a false ID to buy or get alcohol.
Most fake ID charges in Missouri are Class A misdemeanors. This means you can face jail time and fines. At Landon Miller Law, our Fake ID Defense lawyer in Columbia can help students and local people in Boone County courts. My goal is to reduce or drop your charges so a youthful mistake doesn’t hurt your schooling, job, or future.
What Are Common Fake ID Charges in Mizzou?
In a college town like Columbia, fake ID cases usually happen in social places, such as at bars on South Ninth Street, parties near campus, or nearby liquor stores. Missouri law makes it illegal to have, or use changed, borrowed, or made-up IDs to buy alcohol or enter places that have age limits. It’s likewise unlawful to make or give fake IDs to others and have tools or materials used to make false IDs. These charges may seem small at first, but they can stay on your record long after you graduate if you don’t handle them right.
How Can Fake ID Charges and Penalties Affect Me?
A fake ID conviction in Missouri can stay on your criminal record and affect things like housing, internships, grad school, and jobs. Even first offenses can cause problems down the road. MO’s Abuse and Lose law lets the state take away your driver’s license for some alcohol-related offenses involving minors. Besides costly fines and jail time, these penalties can disrupt your daily life and limit your future choices if not handled early.
Our fake ID defense lawyer in Columbia at Landon Miller Law regularly handles cases and has seen these cases play out in many ways. These situations happen often in Columbia, but every case needs a defense made for your specific story, goals, and future:
● A Mizzou student stopped near Downtown Columbia after a night out might face multiple charges, including fake ID and minor in possession, if alcohol is found.
● Another student trying to enter a bar on Locust Street might be charged for showing a falsified license.
● Even borrowing a friend’s ID at a campus event can lead to arrest and court.
How Our Experienced Fake ID Defense Attorney in Columbia Can Help You
If you face a fake ID charge without a lawyer, you might miss chances to lower or drop your case. This is especially true for first-time offenders who want to keep their records clean. At Landon Miller Law, our defense lawyer will review police reports and check how the ID was found and used. They’ll also look for mistakes or illegal actions by the police, particularly if the police followed the rules for searches and evidence.
When it makes sense, our defense attorney can get you into programs that avoid a conviction or negotiate smaller charges or dismissals. This helps you move on without hurting your record. Your lawyer’s goal is to protect your education, career plans, and reputation while guiding you through court in Boone County clearly and confidently.
Talk to Our Seasoned Fake ID Defense Lawyer in Columbia
Contact Landon Miller Law at 573-658-1919 to schedule your free case review with our fake ID defense attorney ASAP.