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What Happens If You Get Caught With A Fake ID in Illinois

Published on April 6th, 2023

If you’re caught either with or attempting to use a government-issued identification card, you can face some serious consequences in the state of Illinois.

Depending on the situation where you attempted to use or are caught with a fake ID, you can face hefty fines, a misdemeanor, a felony, or even jail time.

According to this legislation under the Illinois General Assembly, it is illegal to possess, duplicate or attempt to use a fake ID. Possession alone is considered to be a Class 4 Felony that could result in $500 to $25,000 in fines and at least 50 hours of community service. The fine amount and range of community service entirely depend on the situation where you were caught with a fake ID.

An individual attempting to use a fake ID could see more severe legal consequences. Just some of the situations that could lead to heavier fines and charges include:

  • Accessing financial information
  • Committing other crimes
  • Obtaining documents that can be used for identification purposes
  • Possessing a device capable of fraud or creating more fraudulent IDs

The charges for these crimes range between a Class 3 Felony and a Class A misdemeanor in the State of Illinois. In addition to felony or misdemeanor charges, an individual can also face between 1 to 5 years worth of jail time, $2,500 to $25,000 in fines, 30 to 48 months probation, and over 50 hours of community service.

Fraudulent Use Of A Driver’s License To Purchase Alcohol or Tobacco Products

This is among the most common fraudulent ID crimes that high school and college students face. If a minor is caught attempting to purchase alcohol or tobacco with a fake ID or driver’s license, here are the consequences they can face if they’re caught by law enforcement:

  1. Driver’s license suspension for at least one year
  2. A friend who loans their license to a minor to purchase alcohol can face a $2,500 fine.
  3. Similar to the financial and criminal charges listed above, you could face up to a Class 4 Felony, three years in prison, and $25,000 in fines.

Did An Illinois Police Officer Suspend Or Revoke Your License Due To Fraud?

If you’re in trouble for attempted use or the possession of a fake ID, then you need to contact an experienced defense lawyer as soon as possible. The legal team with Johnson & Goldrich, P.C. can help you get your driving privileges back and fight against any additional charges you might face.

If you’re facing criminal charges for a fake driver’s license, permit, or other federal ID, contact our attorneys for help now.

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