Join the discussion.

Inklings News

Join the discussion.

Inklings News

Join the discussion.

Inklings News

False I.D.entification

The Magic Number: Some examples of the things that can be acquired with a fake I.D.

As the 16-year-old girl walked into the smoke shop confidently, she sauntered towards the man at the front desk and told him who sent her. With a solemn expression, he brought her to the back room, where she signed her name, took a picture against the wall, and picked a state. Two hours later, she came back to the shop to pick up her very own fake I.D.

Many Staples students have fake I.D.s for various reasons. One junior girl got hers in order to get alcohol for parties and vacation, to drink at dinner in the city, to get a tattoo, and to see R-rated movies.

“I even used my fake to get into an 18 and older comedy show in New York and to get my cartilage pierced,” said the same girl. “It is honestly the best purchase I have ever made.”

The main reason many have fake I.D.s is to buy alcohol underaged; many teens have a resounding belief that the drinking age is too high.

“It is honestly stupid that the drinking age is so high. It forces people to get fake I.D.s because they are going to drink anyway, and someone has to be the supplier,” said the junior girl. “If you are the supplier, you can rip people off because they are so desperate to get their hands on the alcohol.”

However, those with fake I.D.s explain that there are precautions they take in order to avoid getting caught.

“I never use it in Westport because there is always a chance someone will recognize me,” said a senior girl. “Why not go to Bridgeport or Norwalk where no one gets caught? I just wouldn’t want to risk it, especially in my own town and especially because I could run into someone I know. That would be awkward.”

In addition to the importance of choosing a good place to use her fake I.D., a different senior girl also explained that there is a certain demeanor one must carry when making the illegal purchase.

“I dress a little more maturely, sometimes wearing heels or lipstick or my glasses. It’s all about your attitude. You can’t take a long time to pick out what you want or seem nervous because it is so obvious,” she said. “Also, it is harder to buy a lot. I tried buying tons for a party, and because I was buying so much, they asked for another form of identification such as a college I.D. because they could get in big trouble if a minor got poisoned. They were very strict about giving this much out so I didn’t end up getting anything.”

At first, she was scared about using her I.D. But after so many uses of not getting in trouble, her fear declined.

Although many students get away with the use of their fake I.D.s, some are not so lucky. A senior boy got his taken away at a concert, when he tried to buy a beer. The bartender asked him if he would rather him cut up the I.D., or if he should get the police involved. Although many times fake I.D.s are just taken away, the interference by a police officer my be a consequence for the illegal usage of fake I.D.s.

“To me it is not worth getting a fake I.D. I let everyone else who has one get me the alcohol because it is not worth having a criminal record and not being able to get into college or get a job,” said a junior boy.

There are very serious legal implications of using fake I.D.s. According to the official state of Connecticut website, the use of a fake I.D. by a minor is punishable by a minimum $200 fine. However, punishment can also include a much larger fine, jail sentences, and a spot on a person’s criminal record.

There are many misdemeanor and criminal categories that fake I.D.s can fall under, including identity theft and forgery. According to Looseleaf Law Publications, identity theft is when “A person commits identity theft when such person knowingly uses personal identifying information of another person to obtain…credit, goods, money, services, property…” This is a class D felony and, according to the Connecticut State Library, can result in 1-5 years in jail as well as up to a $5,000 fine. Additionally, holding a forged fake I.D. can, at least, be a class B misdemeanor, and, also according to the Connecticut State Library, can result in up to 6 months imprisonment and up to $500 fine.

“You are trying to misrepresent who you are. In the long run it’s not worth it,” said Officer Farrar of the Westport Police Department. “They are strict at liquor stores because it is not worth losing a liquor license for a few bucks.”

This has statement has been supported by Kevin Majoros, who works at Castle Wine and Spirits in Westport, and has found and confiscated many fake I.D.s in his time working there. The store cards anyone if they have any suspicions, and the first step is to scan it. If it doesn’t scan correctly, they know it is fake. Additionally, he explained that New York fake I.D.s bend easily, while real ones will break if you bend them too much.

“If they leave peacefully we usually just confiscate it and rip it up. But if they are being rude, we threaten to get the cops involved,” he said.

View Comments (2)
More to Discover

Comments (2)

All Inklings News Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • B

    Ben PlattFeb 8, 2011 at 7:33 pm

    i wish 🙁
    😉 😉 😉 😉

    Reply
    • B

      Ben PlattFeb 8, 2011 at 7:35 pm

      JK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😉

      Reply