Dangers and Consequences of Owning/Using a Fake ID and Underage Drinking
Most young adults think it is no big deal to owning and using a fake ID. Most of us
think that it is totally fine to use one and never quite stop to think about what could happen
if you get caught, or what it does to you. Not only can fake IDs harm you in the sense of
legality, but it is also a trickle down effect that helps you to possess and consume alcohol at
an age where it is not suitable to do so. In this paper I hope to point out the dangers and
consequences of owning and using a fake ID as well as the dangers and consequences of
underage drinking.
Minors using fake IDs in order to get alcohol does not seize to be widespread across
college campuses all over the country. Having the proper identification allows you to have
several different privileges that are a big deal including buying tobacco, buying alcohol,
renting an apartment, cashing checks, or being able to drive. The biggest use of fake IDs is
for the purchasing of alcohol though. It is very common for a college student to have a fake
ID and use it. College is a time to experience life, learn new things, pursue an education
and get a job. Social and night life in college is a huge thing though, and they do play an
important role in your college experience. It is sad to say though that alcohol comes with
this social life in college and in order to get alcohol you need proper identification. Not only
is buying and consuming alcohol wrong, but using a fake ID can be even worse. A simple
fake ID can lead to other situations including identity theft and more legal penalties.
Especially modern day, it is much easier to obtain a fake ID and create one. With the
improvements in technology including advanced high quality photo editing software and
even advanced high quality printing makes it much easier now-a-days.
Many people think that using a fake ID is just such a minor penalty and nothing can
really happen or the worst thing that could happen is that you get kicked out of the bar or
the store. This is completely wrong and the problem with youth. It is just like wearing a
seatbelt, no one thinks there are severe consequences until you get thrown through the
windshield. It is true that yes this is not the biggest crime, it is not violent or the same as
dealing drugs and what not, but it is a misdemeanor and in the United States and penalties
vary from state to state. This includes going to jail, community service, or suspension of
your driver’s license. With bar and store owners you think nothing will happen right?
These owners might display them publicly for humiliation, or they can turn them into
the police which can be much worse. Also, in some states using a fake ID has been turned
into a felony which is much worse than a misdemeanor meaning more jail time, higher
fines, and years long of suspension of driving privileges. One of the biggest consequences
especially in my eyes are the long term issues which would be making it harder to find a job
because no one wants to hire an employee with a felony or difficulties getting into schools
as well as never being allowed to vote or own a gun. Store and bar owners or employees
get very good at spotting fake IDs because it is their job to. They see these every day and
they know when one is not real. If they get caught selling to minors their business can be
shut down. Youth think that the business wants the sales and it helps them to create profit,
but in comparison that is nothing worth their whole business which is worth way more than
a few sales a week. Not only that, but a business that turns over your fake ID to the police
can potential to really hurt you. It is common to believe that police will just confiscate it or
just throw it out because they have bigger things to worry about, this is true in some cases
but on places like college campuses and where there is a lot of underage consumption of
alcohol persecution for fake IDs is something that is often a large focus for the local law
enforcement. If they confiscate your fake ID, there are legal consequences that are sure to
follow. Under Texas law, using a fake ID is considered a class B misdemeanor, this means
that you can have a sentence in jail of up to 180 days or fines of up to 2,000 dollars. Besides
these charges, you open yourself up to several other charges as mentioned earlier including
possession of alcohol and providing alcohol to other minors. Not only that, but all of this
