Understanding the Penalties Your Child May Face if Caught With a Fake ID in Missouri

While Fake IDs Are Common in the Columbia, MO Community, the Results of a Charge Are Serious for Minors. See Why Having an Attorney Is Necessary With Haden & Colbert

Mistakes happen, especially when your child is growing up and learning. Partying, experimenting with alcohol and other substances is prevalent among teenagers and young adults in Missouri. They often try to buy alcoholic beverages by using a forged ID claiming they are 21 or older. However, your child could face several unfortunate consequences if caught by law enforcement. From hefty fines to license revocation to limited career opportunities, there are many reasons to avoid keeping a fake ID charge on the record. Get the full overview of potential penalties and get started on a case with our criminal law attorneys in Columbia, MO.

Missouri’s Abuse & Lose Law: How Does it Impact Students Under 21? 

Abuse and Lose laws mainly focus on the defendant’s driving rights after getting charged with a fake ID in Missouri. If ordered by the court, a person under the age of 21 could have their license suspended for up to 90 days, or in some cases revoked for a full year following a subsequent offense. A license revocation means your child will have to retake their driving test and go through multiple hoops to get their privileges back. This doesn’t only apply to fake ID charges in Missouri either – Abuse and Lose laws can also include other drug and alcohol-related crimes, such as a minor in possession or DUI/DWI. If you want to learn more about the Abuse and Lose law, find answers through the Missouri Department of Revenue or schedule a consultation with the fake ID attorneys at Haden & Colbert.

Other consequences your child could potentially face with a fake ID charge in Boone County 

A misdemeanor added to their criminal record in Missouri

If your child is charged with using a fake ID and you proceed without a lawyer, they could possibly lose more than just their driving privileges. In the state of Missouri, getting caught with a false driver’s license is a class A misdemeanor that can result in a year of jail time and a $1000 fine. These consequences can be permanent on their legal record and a disruption of the life they currently know. It can also become a very stressful time for students under 21 years old. After hearing about your child’s court date, the last thing you want to do is ignore the help of a fake ID attorney in Columbia, MO. 

Getting caught with a fake ID can have education-related penalties for Boone County students

When a minor has a felony or misdemeanor on their criminal record, it can lead to a chain of negative effects, and some of these effects can make a huge impact on your child’s future. If they are charged with a fake ID while in high school, it can potentially stop certain colleges from accepting their application or providing any scholarships. You don’t want to ruin your child’s opportunity at getting into their dream school. In Boone County, there are several college education facilities: the University of Missouri, Stephens College, Columbia College and more. These areas get high populations of 18 to 21-year-olds, so it is not uncommon for students to fall to peer pressure and try to obtain a fake ID. Make a plan to protect your child’s education by appointing a Columbia, MO law firm with decades of service in the area.   

Fake ID charges in Columbia, MO can lead to limited career opportunities for your child 

In addition to hurting your child’s educational choices, having a fake ID on their record could affect them not only now but later in life as they apply for certain careers. Hiring managers may decide not to hire your child based on their past, believing they won’t be a trustworthy employee. This refusal can occur when applying for government assistance as well. 

If a person is caught using their fake ID to purchase alcohol at a liquor store or nightclub, it can also cause trouble for the business owners or employees, putting their jobs at risk. The bartenders, retailers, or servers who handed your child the drinks could be held liable for giving alcohol to a minor. A mistake made in the present doesn’t have to devastate the future for your child or people who may have been unknowingly involved. 

What can you do to try to avoid these penalties for your child? It all begins with a fake ID attorney in Columbia, MO

The stakes can get high for your child, but not all hope is lost if they are accused of owning or using a fake ID in Boone County. You can contact an attorney to defend their case and attempt to have the charges reduced or expunged. Let Haden & Colbert review evidence, consult witnesses, and more to build a compelling argument advocating for your child. Our criminal law firm has been practicing in the Columbia, MO area since 2011, and we are confident in our understanding of local laws.

Let a Fake ID Attorney Like Haden & Colbert Walk You Through the Case & Be Your Diligent Legal Counsel. Call Our Law Firm in Columbia, MO Today

Whether this is your child’s first fake ID charge or a subsequent offense, the committed attorneys at Haden & Colbert are willing to hear out your case in Columbia, MO. We speak to parents and students nearly every day to help them with their legal issues, offering support and firsthand knowledge. Don’t let a tiny fake ID turn into a giant obstacle on the road to success for your child. Reach out now and schedule your first consultation with Haden & Colbert.