When I went to parent orientation with S17, campus police said that they were amazed at how many students from Montana and Alaska (or maybe it was Wyoming?) attended this particular SUNY school, at least based on the ID’s confiscated at local bars. I am not sure what it is about those states ID’s that lend them to being faked but there is something. At the school, the bars confiscate the ID’s and turn them into the school. Nothing happens to the students to my knowledge, other than they can be out $500, which is what the security said a good ID can cost now.
" I am not sure what it is about those states ID’s that lend them to being faked but there is something"
You can get a fake ordered up from any state. “Smart” kids are wise enough to get them from a state that isn’t their own, their college state, or any neighboring states. My guess is they figure that most id checkers aren’t super familiar with MT and AK IDs because they don’t see them as frequently given the low population levels. The fake IDs are pretty good these days but might not pass the sniff test of someone who sees a lot of IDs from the given state on a daily basis.
And they cost much less than $500, too.
I used to respect those here who tried to guide their kiddos to follow state laws.
I need to emphasize that this is a high school student that isn’t yet even 17 years old yet - NOT a college student
I think you did exactly the right thing, 3scoutsmom.
@3scoutsmom Yes but clearly people here have been using them younger than 17 for music venues. We had an under 21 dance club in our town. That was a good option.
For us, you wouldn’t have to tell both the police and their father. That would be redundant. They would be more concerned about their dad’s reaction.
Touche’ . That kid could have hurt himself or someone else drinking and driving, which suzy has been mentioned upthread (am watching the Golden Globes and trying to double task). You went out of your way to help another parent and provide a teaching moment. Good for you!
Congrats, OP, you did the right thing. Fake IDs are felonies in some states and a serious issue. Im glad you told The mom so she can address the issue and it isn’t covered up by the kid. Good job!
I think the point security was making is that there are no actual students from those states, or very few. Last year, according to stats I found on line, less than 3% of the students came from a state other than NY. It’s not too smart to get an ID from a state that no students are enrolled from. Security and the town apparently work closely together, so the bars know that there are no students from Montana or Wyoming or whatever.
As for the OP, I actually think it’s worse for a HS kid to have fake ID than a college kid. I would support the drinking age being reduced back down to 18, but there is too much federal highway money at stake, so laws would have to be changed at that end first.
If there’s an under 21 club and no drinking involved, why would people need phony ID’s to get in? If a 16 or 17 year old is allowed in, let them use their HS ID.
@techmom99 Obviously if there is an under 21 club then you don’t need an ID. I think we were lucky to have one where we are back then. More places should have options for 18-21 year olds.
Also everyone I think agrees that it is worse for a HS kid to have a fake ID rather than a college kid.
I’m not opining on the appropriateness of it or not but, for music loving kids, not just any under 21 club is the goal. They are wanting to see specific acts and those venues/shows are often 21+. Just throwing out a different use for fake ids that isn’t drinking related.
I think the OP’s decision to both return the wallet and make the parent aware was a solid one.
“I think agrees that it is worse for a HS kid to have a fake ID rather than a college kid.”’
Well, both illegal so not so different for the law.
“And they cost much less than $500, too.”
So–how much does a fake ID run these days?
Side note: The new DL are much harder to fake–double images, weird colors etc. Wondering what the new “thing” will be.
In the stories about that fake ID ring bust at University of Georgia a few years back, the going rate was $50-100 each.
I’m sure someone will come up with a way of faking the new ones, too. I doubt most bouncers are going to give it the scrutiny that border patrol would/should.
Depends on whether it’s a misdemeanor or felony $500-$100,000 plus jail time is the cost from what I’ve read, plus criminal record.
I think NJ’s laws are so strict because our licenses were so fakeable up to the turn of the century that most of the 9/11 terrorists had NJ licenses. So now we’re making up for that.
I am not defending underage drinking, and I am glad the OP told the mom, particularly because this is a HS, not college, student.
However, I am saying that in some states, giving it to the police could mean jail time and/or a felony record, possibly involvement from Homeland Security.
Perhaps some of you think that would be appropriate. I don’t.
You don’t have a felony record once you pay the fine, complete the community service and get it expunged.
Note: I’m not sure just having a fake ID is a felony anywhere–generally, the more serious crimes involve using it for something (like getting on a plane, for example), and not just for obtaining alcohol. It makes sense to know what the law–and the practice–is in the area where you or your kid will be.
Since this kid was only 17, I think it’s fine to tell his mom.
Added: These lawyers (https://www.csclarklaw.com/possession-of-a-fake-id/) say that possession of a fake ID in New Jersey is a disorderly persons charge, which is not a felony. They do say that some NJ jurisdictions are tough on them, though.
I had one in NJ , cops found during an illegal search and seizure. They tried to get me to admit using it in court but judge threw out the charge and focused on my traffic bogus ticket. Old Bridge cops were horrible human beings back in the 80s
Anyway OP did what I hope I would have done. But if kid answered the door I would have just given it back to him and made the comment “nice fake id” and leave it at that
The leniency in NJ applies to juveniles. If you are over 18 it is a felony no matter what you are using it for. Trust me on this- I’m a lawyer and also have been through this with a kid. It’s a result of 9-11, as was noted above. It is now not just an underaged person trying to get into a bar. It’s possession of counterfeit government identification.
I have had a kid appear before me when I was a sitting Judge, with a fake ID and the friend/family member she got it from. Both were charged with crimes and wanted to plead guilty. Since it was a first offense, the prosecutor was willing to seek delayed acceptance of guilty plea, meaning that once the fine was paid and their records stayed offense free for xx months, the misdemeanor would go off their respective records.
Both defendants were made aware of how serious this was and that BOTH were in trouble for it. Getting a crime expunged from a record is not automatic and costs time and money and can limit opportunties when a person has a “criminal record.”
Especially in these days with terror attacks and identity theft, fake IDs are asking for big trouble.