A fake ID charge in Texas isn’t prosecuted under some minor “fake ID” statute — it’s charged as tampering with a government record, the same law used for far more serious document fraud, which is why a college student’s fake ID can carry felony-level exposure. A Houston fake ID lawyer can make sure that exposure doesn’t become reality.
How the Charge Actually Works
- Tampering with a government record: Possessing, making, or using a fraudulent government-issued ID falls under this broader statute rather than a standalone minor-in-possession-style law.
- Intent matters: Whether you intended to harm or defraud someone with the ID significantly changes the charge level.
How Texas Punishes It
- Class A misdemeanor: Up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000, in some circumstances.
- State jail felony: 180 days to 2 years when intent to defraud or harm is alleged.
- Third-degree felony: 2 to 10 years for certain enumerated government records.
Where These Cases Are Defended
Whether you actually possessed the ID with intent to defraud or harm — as opposed to simply having it — is often the deciding factor between a minor charge and a felony. First-time cases, especially involving students, frequently have resolution paths that avoid a lasting record.
Charged With a Fake ID? Contact Blass Law Now
Contact Blass Law for a confidential case evaluation or call (713)-664-4000 before this follows you into your career.
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Reviewed by Jay Blass Cohen, founder of Blass Law PLLC — ACS-CHAL Forensic Lawyer-Scientist, certified Drug Recognition Expert, and SFST instructor, serving Houston since 2009. This article is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.