Fake ID Defense

A fake ID charge is one of the most common offenses facing college students in Ann Arbor, and one that many underestimate. It is not a simple ticket. Depending on how the charge is filed, it can be a misdemeanor or a felony, and a conviction can show up on background checks, affect professional licensing, and create complications with financial aid and university disciplinary proceedings. Acting quickly and thoughtfully at the outset of a fake ID case is the best way to protect your future.

Fake ID and Related Charges We Handle

• Misrepresentation of Age to Purchase Alcohol: MCL 436.1703(1)(a); misdemeanor, up to 90 days and $100 fine
• Possession of a Fraudulent ID: MCL 436.1703(1)(b); possessing an ID that falsely represents your age to obtain alcohol
• Using Another Person’s ID: using a friend’s or sibling’s real ID as your own
• Forgery / Fraudulent Document: MCL 750.248; creating or possessing a forged identification document; felony up to 14 years
• Identity Fraud: MCL 445.65; using another person’s identity for personal benefit; felony up to 5 years
• Minor in Possession of Alcohol (MIP): MCL 436.1703; often charged alongside fake ID offenses

How Michigan Fake ID Law Works

The charge filed depends on what you actually had and how you used it. Simply misrepresenting your age verbally or using a fake ID to purchase alcohol is typically a misdemeanor. But if the ID itself is a forged government document, a fraudulently manufactured driver’s license or state ID card, the forgery statute can apply, elevating the offense to a felony with up to 14 years in prison. Using someone else’s real ID can raise identity fraud issues. Understanding which statute you are actually charged under is the first critical step.

For first-time offenders, particularly in the Ann Arbor area, there are often diversion programs and deferred sentencing options that can result in dismissal of the charge upon completion of conditions. These outcomes are not guaranteed, but they are available for many clients and worth pursuing aggressively from the start.

Consequences Beyond the Criminal Charge

A fake ID conviction in Michigan can trigger a 90-day driver’s license suspension for a first offense. For University of Michigan students, there may be a parallel disciplinary process through the university’s student conduct office. For students on financial aid, a drug or alcohol conviction can affect eligibility. For those pursuing careers in law, medicine, education, or financial services, even a misdemeanor on your record warrants attention. Handling the case carefully from the start is much easier than trying to clean it up afterward.

How Chris Approaches Fake ID Cases

Chris handles fake ID cases with an understanding of what is at stake beyond the criminal penalty. He evaluates whether a diversion or deferral resolution is available, negotiates to keep the record clean where possible, and advises students on how to handle any concurrent university disciplinary process without making the criminal case more difficult. Ann Arbor Police and University of Michigan DPS actively enforce these laws in the downtown and campus entertainment zones, he knows the local enforcement patterns and how these cases move through 15th District Court.