SEO: Understanding Fake IDs on Campus The College Park fake identity crisis Students perspectives on fake IDs

By Gabby Bryant Chris Larson pulled up to the side of the police department in Southeast, Washington, D.C., around 2 a.m. and waited. After a few hours, his friends made their way out of the building. Police arrested them earlier that evening after they tried to use fake IDs at a bar in the city. Fake ID use is common among underage students who frequent bars in College Park and to them it has become a way of life. I think that they are useful to enjoy a full college experience, Ryan Luu, a marketing and management major, said. People have to use them to get into Bentleys and Cornerstone and other bars. In a random sampling of seven students, all but one admitted to the use or possession of a fake ID at one time or another. It kind of became a normality, kinesiology major Jenny Kovalick said. Her friend Tori Lee, a history and secondary education major, agreed. They are a necessity in college, she said.

Possible consequences If someone is caught with a fake ID, he or she can face federal fines of up to $25,000 or 15 years in jail, warns the Motor Vehicle Administration of Maryland website.

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Gabby Bryant, Fake IDs Pg.2 Students, on the other hand, have differing opinions on what the consequences should be if someone where get caught using a fake ID. If a bouncer snatches a fake ID, I think that first it should be a warning, sophomore kinesiology major Brie Whalen said. Then secondly [the student] should get a fine, but never jail time. However, students presented a bigger issue. I think the drinking age should be lower so that it entices people to not use fake IDs, Whalen said. If you are able Consequences of Fake IDs Maryland Law: Up to $2000 fine or up to 3 years in jail MVA can cancel, suspend or revoke your drivers license Under 18- may require a supervised work or alcohol rehabilitation program. May require parents to withdraw their consent for you to hold a license Federal Law: Up to $25,000 fine or up to 15 years in jail
Source: The Department of Transportation Motor Vehicles Association of Maryland

to risk going into the army, you should be able to risk with your own judgment on drinking alcohol. Larson, who is from the Bahamas, agreed. I think that [using fake IDs] is the natural reaction to a country who imposes laws on people for too long and does nothing to teach people respect for alcohol, he said. Even with the threat of consequences, the use of fake IDs and its implied underage drinking will continue for the time being. College students are going to find a way to drink no matter what, junior business major Alex DaPonte said. We may as well get used to it.

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