Fake ID charges are a regular occurrence in Blacksburg, Va., where bars and stores near the Virginia Tech campus check thousands of IDs every week. Most cases are charged under Va. Code § 18.2-204.1 or § 18.2-204.2, and using a false ID to obtain alcohol is a Class 1 misdemeanor. In some circumstances a counterfeit driver’s license can even be prosecuted as felony forgery of a public record. Do not treat a fake ID charge as a rite of passage. Call Joel today at 540-961-5297. Joel is a Blacksburg criminal defense lawyer who regularly resolves these cases for students in ways that protect their record and preserve eligibility for expungement.
How Virginia Law Treats Fake ID Cases
Virginia has several statutes that can apply when a fake, borrowed, or altered ID shows up. Using a false ID to buy alcohol or enter a bar is typically charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor, with up to twelve months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500 on the table. Possessing or selling fictitious identification documents is a separate offense, and misusing a real license that belongs to someone else, such as an older sibling or friend, has its own consequences under the motor vehicle code. The specific code section on your summons matters, because each one carries different penalties and different collateral consequences, including possible suspension of your real driver’s license.
Why These Cases Are More Serious Than Students Expect
A criminal conviction of any kind follows you onto background checks for internships, jobs, graduate school, and professional licenses. A fake ID case can also put your driving privileges at risk, trigger a separate student conduct proceeding at Virginia Tech or Radford University, and raise serious questions for international students on visas. The good news is that first offense cases handled well are often resolved without a conviction. Judges and prosecutors in Montgomery County know these are usually good students who made a bad decision, and preparation before court, such as community service and alcohol education, goes a long way. You can read about Joel’s defense process or call 540-961-5297 for a free consultation.
Fake ID FAQs
These short answers cover the questions students and parents ask most often about fake ID charges.