Tucson Fake ID Lawyer

Tucson Fake ID Defense Attorney

Fake IDs are very common in Tucson.

Getting a fake ID is very common among young people across the United States, and certainly in Tucson, Arizona as well.  In Arizona, as in the rest of the United States, it is prohibited for people under the age of 21 to possess or consume alcohol (more on that here).  Underage drinking laws are enforced, but have likely done very little to stop underage drinking.  People under the age of 21 drink alcohol; the overwhelming majority of them do.  There is even an argument that this unrealistic drinking age actually encourages unsafe drinking habits, such as heavy binge drinking, before going out. 

The home of a major university and affordable urban living for young people, Tucson has many fake ID cases each year.   Young people in Tucson are carded when trying to buy alcohol, whether at a bar, restaurant, liquor store, or supermarket.  Further, it is against the law for adults to buy alcohol for minors, and for minors to be in many bars and clubs.  The confluence of these factors creates a major market for documentation that falsely permits a person to buy alcohol and go out. 

Despite the widespread use of fake IDs, using false identification for any purpose is against the law.  Possessing a fake ID can give rise to several different criminal charges.  The best case scenario when a store clerk, bouncer, or bartender discovers your fake ID is that they simply turn you away, or confiscate the ID.  Other times, the police will be called, or might even already be there conducting fake ID enforcement.  In Arizona, it is a Class 1 Misdemeanor to use a fake ID to attempt to purchase alcohol, or gain entrance to a place where alcohol is sold.  Technically, these crimes are punishable by up to 180 days in jail, three years of probation, and fines costing in the thousands.  Though a jail sentence would be extremely unlikely, especially for a first time offender, the consequences of a criminal conviction can still be serious.

In addition to any penalty imposed by the court, the Arizona Department of Transportation will suspend your driving privilege for six months upon a conviction for a fake ID.  For many young people, the more severe consequences will come up when applying for school, jobs, scholarships, internships, state licenses, and more.  IF YOU OR A CHILD IS FACING MISDEMEANOR CHARGES RELATING TO UNDERAGE DRINKING, OR HAVING A FAKE ID, CONTACT THE TUCSON DEFENDERS NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION WITH A TUCSON CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER 520-585-5757

Many people charged with misdemeanors, particularly those involving underage drinking, will be eligible for diversion.  By participating in a diversion program, you can keep your record clean by staying out of trouble for a specified period of time, and completing some affirmative obligations like alcohol education classes, and possibly even community service.  If you are not eligible for diversion, there may still be defenses and strategies that can help you avoid a conviction, especially if the ID in question was found during a police search; contraband found as the result of an unlawful police search can be excluded by moving to suppress evidence.  Talk to your lawyer about how to present your best defense, and cooperate by gathering transcripts, character letters, and other documented evidence of achievement that can help gain favor with the court or prosecution.

Although the most common type of fake ID case involves fake IDs possessed by young people seeking to go to bars or buy alcohol, there are other types of fake ID cases that can be much more serious.  Possessing a fake ID to conceal citizenship status, making/manufacturing fake IDs, using a fake ID for fraud (e.g. to cash a check), etc. can be serious crimes, and result in felony charges.  With more serious charges, jail and prison time are presumed in Arizona, and it can be much more important to have a great defense.  You need a criminal defense attorney who is experienced, knowledgeable, trustworthy, and cares about getting you the best possible result. 

Fake ID charges often come in conjunction with Minor in Possession/Minor in Consumption charges.  More serious Fake ID-related charges can be charged as Forgery/Counterfeiting.

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CDC Underage/Binge Drinking Info
Tucson City Court (Misdemeanors In City Limits)
Pima County Justice Court (Misdemeanors)
Pima County Superior Court (Felonies)
Tucson Police Department

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse Pamphlet
Pima County Juvenile Court Center
Pima County Law Library
Alcoholics Anonymous
U of A Police Department