In Maryland, you must be 21 to buy alcohol, but minors sometimes use a Maryland fake ID to get around this rule. Bars, restaurants, and liquor stores must check IDs to ensure customers are old enough to drink. However, this age limit doesn’t stop minors from trying to get alcohol.
Many use fake IDs or try to use someone else’s ID to make it look like they’re older. Using a Maryland fake ID or another person’s ID to buy alcohol is illegal, and minors caught doing this are likely to be arrested. Additionally, those who use fake IDs can face serious legal problems, such as fines and possible criminal charges, which can impact their future opportunities. Businesses that serve alcohol also face penalties if they fail to check IDs and allow underage drinking properly.
Maryland Fake ID Laws
In Maryland, two primary laws make using fake IDs illegal. First, Maryland Criminal Code Section 8-303 makes it a crime to have or use a fake ID with the intent to deceive. It also makes it illegal to lend your ID to someone else. For example, if an older brother lets his younger brother use his ID to get into a bar, the older and younger brother could face legal trouble. If caught, you could face up to six months in jail and a $500 charge for a first offense. It is considered a misdemeanor in Maryland and applies to any government-issued ID.
Maryland’s fake ID laws also include penalties for people who sell counterfeit IDs. If you’re caught selling fake IDs, you could face up to 2 years in prison and a $2,000 fine for each Maryland fake ID sold.
Additionally, Maryland Transportation Code Section 16-301 makes it illegal to get or try to get a driver’s license using false information or fake documents. It includes using a fake ID to apply for a driver’s license or using a fake or altered driver’s license. You’re breaking the law if you use, keep, or try to use a canceled or fake driver’s license.
Diversion for Fake ID Charges
While most people facing criminal charges either plead guilty or go to trial, there is a potential for a more positive outcome for those with a fake ID and no prior record. Diversion is a process where the defendant can make a deal with the prosecutor. By fulfilling specific requirements, such as attending alcohol classes or doing community service, the charges may be reduced or dismissed, offering a hopeful resolution to the situation.
Since diversion isn’t always offered, you must talk to an experienced Maryland fake ID lawyer if you or your child is facing these charges. Even though using or possessing a fake ID is a misdemeanor, a criminal record can affect future job prospects, rental applications, and college admissions. A skilled Maryland criminal defense lawyer can negotiate with the prosecutor to arrange a diversion deal. Completing the diversion program could also lead to having the arrest record cleared. Diversion is a helpful way to handle charges because it gives the defendant some control over getting the case dismissed as long as they meet the agreement’s requirements.
The Law Offices of Krum, Gergely, & Oates
The Krum, Gergely, & Oates team is a highly skilled Maryland criminal defense firm with extensive experience handling fake ID cases and other criminal charges. They serve clients across cities like Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Takoma Park, Potomac, Germantown, Gaithersburg, Hyattsville, College Park, Fort Washington, Bowie, Oxon Hill, and beyond.
If you or someone you know has been arrested and is facing fake ID charges in Maryland, don’t hesitate to contact The Law Offices of Krum, Gergely, & Oates for a thorough case evaluation. Picking the right lawyer can significantly change the result of your case. Given the serious nature of criminal charges, it’s crucial not to face this challenge alone or unprepared.