Using a Fake ID to Buy Alcohol

It’s common for late teens and 20-year-olds to buy a fake ID, either to buy alcohol or so that they can join their older friends at the bar or club. However, a conviction for using a fake to buy alcohol is a criminal offense will stay on your record for life. At the Law Office of James E. Novak, we represent minors charged with underage alcohol consumption and Fake ID charges. For more than 25 years, our Maricopa County criminal defense attorney has been aggressively defending the rights of individuals facing all types of crimes. He cares deeply about each of his clients and understands the impact that a conviction can have on your life, which is why he fights so hard to avoid it at all costs.

Yes, under Arizona Revised States § 4-241(L), it is a Class 1 misdemeanor for a minor to misrepresent their age “to any person by means of a written instrument of identification with the intent to induce a person to sell, serve, give or furnish spirituous liquor.” In other words, a minor violates this law if they use any type of identification in an effort to obtain alcohol.

Yes, Arizona Revised Statutes § 4-241(L) also applies in a situation where a minor uses the identification of another person, such as an older sibling or friend, to purchase alcohol. If convicted of using another person’s ID to buy alcohol, you will face a Class 1 misdemeanor.

In fact, it is also against the law for a minor to ask another person to buy alcohol for them, even if that person doesn’t agree or doesn’t end up going through with the purchase. Under subsection (M), soliciting another person to buy alcohol for a minor is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

Yes, Arizona Revised Statutes §4-241(N) provides that it is against the law for anyone to use “a fraudulent or false written instrument of identification or identification of another person” to gain entry to any establishment that serves alcohol. Using a fake ID or another person’s ID to get into a bar or club is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

If you are arrested for using a fake ID to buy alcohol, it may seem like there is no hope and that you are ultimately going to be found guilty. However, that is far from the case. Police officers often exceed their authority when talking to minors they suspect of using a fake ID, which may render any evidence obtained (including the fake ID) inadmissible at trial.

For example, if officers visit a popular college bar to conduct a sweep for underage drinkers, they may go through and ask everyone who looks underage how old they are. However, unless the police have reasonable suspicion to believe that you committed a crime, you are under no obligation to answer because this could elicit an incriminating response. It is also a violation of your rights if they ask you to see your identification without having probable cause to believe you violated the law.

If you were recently arrested and charged with using a Fake ID to buy alcohol, reach out to our Maricopa County criminal defense attorney to get started working on a compelling defense to the charges you face. At the Law Office of James E. Novak, we take pride in providing our clients with the highest level of representation because we know exactly what’s at stake. We will give you our undivided attention throughout your case and make ourselves available to answer any questions that come up along the way. We also handle other related cases, such as under 21 DUIs and minor in possession of alcohol offenses. To learn more, and to schedule a free consultation today, call Attorney James Novak at (480) 413-1499. The Law Office of James Novak proudly defends clients in Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler Scottsdale, Gilbert and other surrounding cities in Maricopa County.