What are the Penalties for Using a Fake ID in Wisconsin?

Fake or false identification cards have been around for as long as government entities have issued real ID cards. There are many things a person needs an ID to for, like purchasing alcohol or cigarettes, cashing a check, and boarding an airplane. Most of the time, fake driver’s licenses and IDs are procured by minors who want to purchase alcohol or get into bars, but they are also used in committing fraud and other offenses. 

The State of Wisconsin takes the production, sale, and possession of fake IDs seriously. If you have been charged for any offense involving fake identification, it is important to seek representation from an experienced criminal defense attorney.

Falsifying Proof of Age in Wisconsin

According to Wisconsin law, no person is permitted to make, alter, or duplicate an official ID card, provide an underage person with an ID card for the purpose of showing the underage person has reached legal drinking age, or possess an ID card with the intention of giving it to an underage person. If you are caught doing any of the aforementioned activities, you could be fined $300 to $1,250 and incarcerated for 10 to 30 days.

Consequences become steeper when a person makes, duplicates, alters, or provides an underage person with an ID for money. Those convicted of falsifying proof of age for money in Wisconsin can be charged with a Class I felony, which can result in up to three years and six months in prison and fines of up to $10,000.

Charges for Underage Offenders

If you are under the age of 21, being convicted of any of the following actions can result in additional consequences:

• Intentionally carrying an ID card that is not legally issued to you, an ID  that was obtained under false pretenses, or an ID that has been altered or duplicated to show false information;
• Making, altering, or duplicating an ID card to show you are of legal drinking age;
• Presenting false information to an issuing officer when applying for an ID card; or
• Intentionally carrying an ID card that shows you are of legal drinking age while knowing that information to be false. 

Consequences for underage offenders can result in $300 to $1,250 in fines, a suspension of driving privileges, required participation in a supervised work program, or other community service work. The sentence largely depends on the circumstances surrounding the event and your past criminal history, if you have one.

Contact a Waukesha County Criminal Defense Lawyer 

It can seem like a victimless crime, but actions involving fake IDs are not treated that way by law enforcement or the courts. At the Bucher Law Group, LLC, we have represented clients facing various criminal charges for more than a decade. Our knowledgeable Delafield, WI criminal defense attorneys will provide you with the best defense possible. Call our office today at 262-303-4916 to schedule a free consultation.

Sources:

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/statutes/statutes/125/I/085