It was Labor Day Weekend. An attempt for a friends gathering resulted in consequences I wish I were never involved in. The Saturday before Labor Day Monday, a friend and I purchased kegs for a friend’s event. I used my fake ID to purchase these two kegs that were taken by SMU PD later that evening. Consequences soon followed after that. I was at home when I heard I was potentially in trouble and immediately cut up my fake ID. I have never been in trouble before, not with the law or at school so I was very scared and nervous, and just disappointed with my actions.
After meeting with Mrs. Ashley, I thought about the actions I performed that Labor Day Sunday and was disappointed in my poor judgment skills. I should have thought about all the consequences that could occur using poor judgment skills. After I came home from my meeting I remember sitting in my bed and just thinking about the worthiness of a few seconds of feeling cool. One of the primary reasons my friend and I did this was to look cool in front of older people, which now seems so minuet in the grand scheme of things.
Although, I was very nervous and disappointed in my actions, I am also confident that I learned my lesson. I will never again do something to potentially hurt everything I have worked for this far. Using poor judgment skills could throw away everything you have worked for, whether it is concerning college, your relationship with your family or even your relationship with your friends. I am still at the point in my life where I have a lot going for me, but at the same time I am very vulnerable to certain situations. I know that everyone makes mistakes (literally everyone) but one still has a responsibility to uphold their moral duties and one is still held responsible for their actions.
After researching the laws about Fake ID’s I realize how serious the consequences can be. For example, in the state of Florida, if you are caught with a fake ID multiple consequences can occur. For one, you can lose your driver license privileges for up to one year. It is also considered a third degree felony, not a misdemeanor. If you are a convicted of a third degree felony one “shall be punished by imprisonment for any term not more than 10 years or less than 2 years.” However, if you are charged with a misdemeanor it results in a fine ranging from five hundred dollars to four thousand dollars. The amount of the fine depends on the severity of the crime committed. Also, one can be sentenced to a certain amount of days in jail, less than a year. There is also the inconvenience of cost. Not only is there a court cost, but there is a probationary cost as well as an attorney cost. All these costs make it very expensive and very inconvenient. Costs that is hugely unnecessary if one just upholds their responsibility. Finally, you will be a convicted felon that can haunt you later in life. A convicted felon loses certain privileges such as losing the right to vote and losing the right to bear arms. All rights that are protected by the constitution and that make us citizens of the United States. To think, that all this can happen as a result of one day or night trying to have fun or be cool? Also, in the state of Texas, if you are caught with a fake ID you will be charged with a class B misdemeanor. This states that “An individual found guilty of a Class B Misdemeanor shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $2,000.00 or confinement for a term not to exceed 180 days.
Although I have learned my lesson, I wanted to share this story with others so they do not make the same mistake I did!!
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