Crimes for Fake Identification Cards

Florida law does not prohibit a person from possessing or displaying another person’s driver license or identification card for a lawful purpose. But Section 322.212, Florida Statute, prohibits the unauthorized possession of, and other unlawful acts in relation to, driver license or identification card. Under the statute, it is illegal for a person to knowingly:

• possess or display any blank, forged, stolen, fictitious, counterfeit, or unlawfully issued driver license or identification card or any instrument in the similitude of a driver license or identification card unless possession by such person has been duly authorized by the department;
• possess any instrument in the similitude of a driver license issued by the department or its duly authorized agents or those of any state or jurisdiction issuing licenses recognized in this state for the operation of a motor vehicle;
• possess any instrument in the similitude of an identification card issued by the department or its duly authorized agents or those of any state or jurisdiction issuing identification cards recognized in this state for the purpose of indicating a person’s true name and age.

Violation of this section is punishable as a third- degree felony punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.

But when young people give a false age in an application or possess a driver’s license, identification card, or similar document on which the date of birth has been altered is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second-degree.

The statute also prohibits knowingly selling, manufacturing, or delivering, or offering to sell, manufacture, or deliver, a blank, forged, stolen, fictitious, counterfeit, or unlawfully issued driver license or identification card, or an instrument in the similitude of a driver license or identification card, unless that person is authorized to do so by the department.

Violation of this section would constitute a second degree felony punishable by a term of imprisonment of 15 years and a $10,000 fine.

A violation of this section may be investigated by any law enforcement agency, including Florida’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco.

Attorney for Fake ID Cards

If you are accused of using or making fake ID cards, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm. We represent clients on a wide variety of white collar crimes including crimes classified as identify theft charges.

Many of our clients are high school or college students who just want to get into a nightclub or bar. They might not have realized that the crime is so severe or might impact their future.

At Sammis Law Firm, our six attorneys represent clients throughout the greater Tampa Bay area.

Call 813-250-0500.

Definitions for Florida’s Fake ID Charge

Under Section 322.212(1), Florida Statute, the term “driver license” includes a driver license issued by the department or its agents or a driver license issued by any state or jurisdiction that issues licenses recognized in this state for the operation of a motor vehicle.

The term “identification card” includes any identification card issued by the department or its agents or any identification card issued by any state or jurisdiction that issues identification cards recognized in this state for the purpose of indicating a person’s true name and age.

This article was last updated on Friday, September 8, 2023.