Information from the County Attorney's Office
By Steven J. Franzen, Campbell County Attorney
Every year there appears to be a rise in the use of fake identification cards by students. Many teenagers have obtained fake identification cards or driver's licenses, or used another person's driver's license or identification card, in order to purchase alcohol or get into entertainment establishments where they would normally not be permitted. The fake IDs of course show them to be older than they actually are, usually twenty-one (21) years or older for alcohol related activities and eighteen (18) years or older to get into some night spots.
Some parents have indicated to me that some kids feel the possession and use of the fake IDs are not a big deal. Those parents would like to know what the possible legal consequences are concerning the fake IDs.
Under Kentucky law, it is illegal to knowingly provide false information in obtaining a driver's license or identification card. It is also illegal to possess and/or use a fictitious operator's license or identification card or to have or use a driver's license that has been cancelled, revoked, suspended or which belongs to another person. It is also illegal to have more than one (1) operator's license.
Contrary to what most minors think, violations of the laws mentioned above concerning fake IDs carry very serious penalties, ranging from a Class B Misdemeanor to a Class D Felony. Someone possessing or using a fake ID can be charged with Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument which is a Class D Felony, punishable by up to five (5) years in jail and up to a Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollar fine. They could also be charged under Kentucky's Traffic Code for Prohibited Uses of Driver's Licenses which is a Class B Misdemeanor punishable by up to ninety (90) days in jail and up to a Two Hundred Fifty Dollar ($250.00) fine.
Obviously, very serious consequences are possible as mentioned above for minors using fake IDs. I strongly encourage all parents to make their children aware of these serious consequences. Invariably in the past, kids and their parents are shocked when they wind up in Court being charged with a felony and/or misdemeanor for the kids using or merely possessing fake identification cards or driver's licenses.
If you have any topics you would like to have covered in this column, please contact my office by e-mail at countyattorney@campbellcountyky.gov, by phone at 491-7700 or by regular mail addressed to 319 York Street, Newport, Kentucky 41071.