For many young people, summer is over, and they have already returned to their colleges and universities to resume their studies. College is a heady time, full of new opportunities and freedom they may not have had at home. You may remember your own college days well and hope your child has positive and rewarding experiences.
You are likely not fooled into believing that your child will travel through his or her college days without tasting alcohol. In fact, it may be difficult to resist the lure of friends’ invitations to parties, bars, and gatherings. If your child is underage, he or she may be tempted to procure a fake ID in order to access alcohol in these situations.
Who are you?
Did you have a fake ID? Perhaps you borrowed one from an older sibling or friend, or you may have purchased one from someone on campus. You may not think it’s a big deal for your child to have a fake ID, but a police officer may think otherwise.
While a bar or party bouncer may simply turn your child away if the ID isn’t convincing, Florida law enforcement is likely to arrest your child on the spot. While such an arrest may not mean jail time, possessing and using a fake ID to get alcohol may result in the following consequences:
A conviction for using a fake ID — and any alcohol offense that may accompany it — may remain on your child’s record long enough for potential employers to see it. It may also jeopardize any scholarships or internships, depending on the circumstances.
Kids these days…
While using a fake ID to obtain alcohol is a misdemeanor in most cases, it may be an entirely different story if your child is the one creating and supplying IDs to others. This could result in a felony forgery charge, which will almost certainly bring long-term consequences.
You have likely had many serious talks and issued countless warnings to your child in an attempt to keep him or her from making mistakes. However, there is no doubt you already know that kids don’t always heed the sage advice of their parents. In those situations, it is helpful to have recourse to legal assistance.
