Your bar-hopping buddy may be a criminal.
According to the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Web site, students who "possess, use or distribute fake IDs are charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor."
Additionally, students who give or loan their ID to an underage student will face more serious charges than students who use a fake ID with their own picture on it to buy alcohol.
University students apparently have no qualms about using fake IDs to get alcohol, as many bar owners and bouncers have seen an increase in fake ID use since last year. Due to the increased presence of fake IDS, some students said they think bar owners and bouncers have been rejecting more students at the door than usual.
"There's no reason to [crack down on fake IDs]," third-year College student Brad Pace said.
Although alcohol use may be dangerous, the use of fake IDs, some said, is not. This may be because the use of fake IDs does not necessarily mean that one will abuse alcohol, only that one will be able to get it.
"As long as people walk back and don't drink and drive, using a fake ID shouldn't be deemed serious," Pace said. "If restrictions on alcohol use and fake IDs were lightened, the problem of fake IDs would not exist."
The restrictions, however, are not likely to lighten. According to the ABC Web site, this may be because of the increased use of fake IDs, or because the use of fake identification is a wrongful act related to check fraud, bank fraud, social security fraud and immigration fraud -- all acts that are deemed more serious than possessing alcohol.
In order to combat the use of fake IDs, the ABC is working with businesses instead of taking matters into its own hands. The ABC issues ID Checking Guides that businesses can use to spot a fake. The kit includes information on spotting fake IDs, checks and bankcards.
All of this action on the ABC's part, however, may not help with the problem. According to third year College student Linda Choe, students need to be aware that fake IDs are not imperative to having a good time.
"In terms of importance, fake IDs are not necessary for having a social life," Choe said.
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