Is it illegal to buy a fake ID?

Yes, it is illegal to buy a fake ID and I wouldn't post the name of a site that makes false IDs because you could get charged as well for soliciting to do an illegal act, so I don't suggest you have any part in it in the future if you have a part in it now. While you may make an interesting legal point, what is the point of owning a false ID if you're not interested in using it for some nefarious reason? Moreover, if a person gets caught with a false ID, then it's going to cost a lot in legal fees to try to prove your legal point. What's the point in that either? Both seem to be functions of an overactive mind that has nothing to do but to think of things like this to post on legal web sites to show how smart the writer is. I agree, you are smart. Unfortunately, you may too smart for your own good. Think a little harder about it. There are real practical issues involved that will ultimately defeat smartness, so why not think of something else to do with your time. I say this with all due respect, because it's obvious you are indeed smart, but spending your time to do this is only asking for trouble and legal fees for no good purpose. Good luck.

This would largely depend upon the type of ID they were receiving in the mail. Some 'fake' IDs are clearly labeled as fakes and use the recipients actual name, etc. If they ordered IDs that actually attempted to portray them with false identities then it is likely that they may be exposed to some level of criminal liability. On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 6:20 PM, Question From LawQA wrote: > A QUESTION HAS BEEN SENT TO YOU VIA A CRIMINAL DEFENSE WEBSITE ON THE LAW > QA NETWORK > > ID:20623 > Question: Is it illegal to buy a fake ID? > Question Detail: I'm sure you've seen the reports of kids getting busted > using IDchief.com to buy fake IDs then getting caught by customs. How are > they arrested? Is only buying a fake ID illegal? I was under the impression > that possession of a fake ID or using it to misrepresent oneself is illegal, > yet if it were intercepted in the mail, technically they never were in > possession of it nor did they ever use it, so how did they break the law? > What would they be charged with? > > *********************************** > To answer this question, please just reply to this email. The original > content and subject should not be modified, otherwise your answer will not > be valid. Patrick Reagin Bloom Legal LLC 504.460.5479 www.bloomlegal.com This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-email. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.

Let's look at this question from a practical standpoint. Use of a fake id can get you into trouble. So if you can't use it, why would you spend money to buy it? Seems to me that buying a fake id is like playing with fire. Play long enough and you will get burned.

Buying a fake ID could be prosecuted as attempted ID Theft, even if the fake ID was never received.

They can always charge you with attempt. Remember almost any crime can be charged as an attempted act (and not the act itself).

Assuming this is in Oregon: What crime or statute was this person charged with?

Yes it is illegal to possess a fake ID.

It is a crime to possess, make, buy or sell false government ID or other documents. If arrested, youll learn the actual charge[s] filed against you when you appear for arraignment at your first court hearing. If that happens, and if serious about hiring counsel to help you in this, and if this is in SoCal courts, feel free to contact me.

At a minimum, the activity you describe is an attempt. A crime need not be completed to be charged. For example, the crime of attempt to commit bank robbery makes perfect sense, since the police would not have to wait until the crime was completed before making an arrest. In this same way, attempt is one way to charge such an offense.