Tuesday 21 May 2013

Fake Id and Misdemeanor Defense Attorney, Florida

Felony is a very serious offense in the State Florida, however even a misdemeanor offense on your record can cost you a great job opportunity or an embarrassing mug shot on Google. In Florida a first degree misdemeanor is much more serious than a second degree misdemeanor, and includes crimes such as animal cruelty, highway racing, and drug possession. There are times when you may not think you are committing a crime, but can be charged with it, such as a possession of open container. If you do find yourself in that sticky situation, you need to consult a criminal lawyer as soon as possible. There are acts like loitering or trespassing for which you can be charged with a second degree misdemeanor. Other acts in this category include petit theft, and many criminal traffic offenses.

First degree misdemeanors carry serious punishments of up to 1 year in the Duval county jail and up to $1,000.00 fine. Although a criminal offense that is considered to be a second degree misdemeanor may not seem like a big deal, it will still leave a mark on your record. The cost of having a criminal record, for whatever small reason is heavy. Prospective employers or colleges may not be interested in hiring or admitting you once they learn about your misdemeanor charge on your background check.

The idea of having a Fake ID may sound like fun to youngsters trying to get into bars they’re not allowed to, trying to purchase alcohol due to their age, but the consequences are very serious. If you have a driver’s license or identification card, which is counterfeit, stolen or unlawfully issued, you can get into serious trouble if you’re caught. Though it may seem like a minor crime, possessing and using a Fake ID in Florida is crime and is considered to be a 3rd degree felony! So, a charge of Possession of Fake ID is punishable by up to $5,000 fine and up to 5 years prison. As mentioned earlier, this can have terrible consequences for your future as an employee or a student.

Call us at 904-619-2510 at the Mesic Law Office and get FREE consultation for any misdemeanor charges pending against you. Our goal is to mount an aggressive defense, even if it is only a second degree misdemeanor, because we know, your future is at stake.

Thursday 2 May 2013

The Consequences of Using Fake Identification in Florida


Possession of a Fake Id is a Felony: Florida Statutes, Section 322.212 criminalizes the making or possession of a Fake Id or a Florida Driver License. Most people who get arrested for a possession of a Fake Driver License are teenagers or young adults under 21, trying to gain entry into a club or purchase alcohol. A lot of time, the Fake Id will be confiscated by the bouncer or bar security and the matter will not go any further, but there are exceptions and those can effect someone’s life dramatically. An arrest or a Notice to Appear for a Possession of a Florida Fake Id or Driver License come into play when the person refuses to leave the bar or starts a fight with the employees. When that happens, the person will likely also get charged with Trespassing and if he fights the officer potentially more serious charges. In Jacksonville, unfortunately, these charges are common. Most of them take place at the Jacksonville Beach, where young people hang out and the bars require you to be 21 years old to get in.
It is shocking that the Legislature made Possession of the Fake Id a 3rd degree felony. Their intent was to combat making and selling the Fake Ids, but the people who end being charged with this offense are usually young adults. Most people who do try to use a Fake Driver License in Jacksonville to buy alcohol or get into a bar, don’t realize that they may be charged with a 3rd degree felony, and how serious the consequences maybe.
In the State of Florida, a 3rd degree felony is a very serious offense. It is punishable by a maximum of 5 years in prison and by up to $5,000.00 fine.