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Question: What is the penalty for using a fake ID to get into a bar to see a concert but not buy alcohol?

Answer: Using a fake ID is a pretty severe crime, and whether you are doing so to get into a concert, buy alcohol, or otherwise misrepresent your age or identity, doesn't really matter. Arizona law punishes the conduct of misrepresenting your identity in two areas: first is the use of the fake identification to do something and second is the tampering or falsification of the actual identification card.

You could be prosecuted for a number of different crimes under Arizona law using the fake identification, including Criminal Impersonation (ARS 13-2006) and Forgery (ARS 13-2002). Both of these crimes punish people for assuming a false identity or pretending to be someone (or some age) that they are not in order to get something from the person that they are deceiving.

If you have also actually tampered with the identification yourself, you could be charged with another crime like Tampering with a Public Record (ARS 13-2407). This punishes the act of altering or changing an officially issued piece of documentation like a driver's license.

All of these crimes are felonies in Arizona. Felonies are crimes that are punished by time spent in a state prison, usually in excess of one year. Criminal Impersonation and Tampering with a Public Record are both Class 6 Felonies, which are punished by 6 months to 1 1/2 years in jail. Forgery is a much more serious crime, a Class 4 Felony, and is punished by 1 1/2 to 3 years in jail.

Needless to say, there is no reason to take such a risk just to see a band. Go buy their latest CD instead.


Comments
6 thru 10 of 20 comments
On 04/01/03
john from AZ said:
you have to be 21 to buy alcohol, you realize that?
On 03/08/03
me from AZ said:
I was caught for having a cousins id and a cop gave me a ticket do you think that I well have to do community service? This was the first time I've ever used, let alone go to a bar. What do you think they will do?
On 02/28/03
Jack from LA said:
If you say no, then they check your records. Anyone can find out about you. Businesses are issued a program that allows them to find out about a person. If you say "no" and you did somthing, then you will def. not get the job, and it will prob go on your perminent record for lying too. SO just say yes.
On 10/25/02
me from CA said:
i saw a guy the other night in a liquor store buy his fake back from the owner for $50. that's imposing the law ehh?
On 10/21/02
lz from CA said:
i have a friend that got caught twice with cocaine on him by the cops. what is the penalty for 2 offenses and this happened within 2 months of each other. does this person get severe jail time??
6 thru 10 of 20 comments



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