State College Fake ID Attorney

Fake ID Charges in State College – Defend Your Future with Attorney Jason S. Dunkle

Since 2004, State College criminal defense lawyer Jason S. Dunkle has been defending Penn State students and other young adults charged with criminal offenses — including Fake ID charges. These cases are more serious than many realize and can significantly impact your future educational and professional opportunities.

Common Fake ID Scenarios in Pennsylvania

Fake ID charges in Pennsylvania typically arise in two situations:

  1. Using a Fake ID to Purchase Alcohol
    This is the most common scenario involving Fake IDs. If a person possesses or attempts to use a fake ID to buy alcohol, they may face a summary offense under 18 Pa.C.S. § 6310.3 – Carrying a False Identification Card. In more serious cases, it could be charged as a first-degree misdemeanor under 75 Pa.C.S. § 1571(a)(5) – Violations Concerning Licenses.

  2. Giving False Identification to Law Enforcement
    If a person is stopped by police and lies about their name or other identifying information, they can be charged with False Identification to Law Enforcement, a misdemeanor offense under 18 Pa.C.S. § 4914.

Fake ID Charges Are Crimes of Dishonesty (Crimen Falsi)

Fake ID offenses are considered crimen falsi, or crimes involving dishonesty, fraud, or deceit. This places them in the same legal category as theft, forgery, and perjury. Unlike other student-related offenses such as underage drinking, DUI, or minor marijuana possession — which some employers may overlook — a conviction for a dishonesty-based offense can seriously jeopardize your job prospects, particularly in fields like finance, law, education, or government service.

How to Avoid a Fake ID Conviction

A conviction for a Fake ID charge can result in a criminal record that may follow you for years. Fortunately, first-time offenders are often eligible for diversionary programs, suchh as Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD). These programs may lead to a dismissal of charges upon successful completion, which usually includes:

Important: Even if your case is dismissed, the criminal records are not automatically destroyed.  They may be moved to limited access, meaning hidden from public view, but the records still exist and can be viewed and considerd by the police, prosecutors, and judges in the future.  You must take an additional legal step — filing for expungement — to have your records destroyed.

Caught Using a Fake ID in State College?

For a free case review, contact JD Law by email or leave a message at (814) 689-9139. Email is the preferred method of communication, as phone calls are directed to voicemail due to the high volume of spam and unsolicited calls.