Being a college student in Boston, it can be a bummer knowing that you can’t go out and enjoy the bar scene until your senior or late junior year. So, some students opt to get a fake ID, whether they find an older relative who looks like them, or order one online. Though it is fairly common, many people don’t understand the risk of having one and will go all out, bar hopping and buying tons of alcohol at liquor stores. Before deciding whether or not it’s worth the risk, one should definitely do their research and understand that Boston bouncers really do know the difference.
So, for starters, us college students may not know the difference when presented with a fake ID, but bouncers and bartenders who see hundreds every night certainly do. Even with no formal training, employees of bars and liquor stores alike figure it out with time, and will know when something about an “ID” seems to be fishy. Most restaurants and bars even keep a binder of what each state’s driver’s licenses look like should they need a second opinion on an ID. Many places are actually required to use this binder if presented with an out of state license, or consult a bar manager with any out of state license of a person under 25.
Okay, so you and your friends paid $250 each for sets of two IDs and they look exactly like the state they’re from. You’re all set, right? Not quite. There are many ways bouncers can spot a fake ID, such as shining a flashlight straight through it, or by just bending the plastic a bit. Bouncers also can tell by other clues, as former bouncer Mishka Shubaly told MTV: “An indication is when you’re working the door on a Saturday night and six or eight or ten girls all show up with Hawaii IDs in different groups. There’s just not that many people from Hawaii visiting New York going to the same bar on the same night.”
Many Boston students who have fake IDs get by bouncers and into clubs all the time. Word of mouth plays into fake ID use a lot. One Suffolk student said, “I’ve never had my ID questioned, only asked for a second form (it is fake actually). I know better than to ever venture to Howl at the Moon though! Sidebar has been raided so they are stricter too”. This means you’ll be fine where they go, right? Sorry, but there’s never a guarantee. Another former bouncer told MTV, “If you have a fake and you are let into a bar, 95% of the time it’s cause the bouncer just let you in, not ’cause you tricked them.” Lots of places, especially in Boston, have been cracking down after facing trouble themselves for turning the other cheek to obvious fake IDs.
Some students have faced horror stories after a seemingly innocent attempt to go out for a drink, getting not only turned away but facing trouble with law enforcement. Many things can happen when you’re turned away at the door. A bouncer might politely ask you to leave, ask you for other forms of identification, confiscate the ID or even get the police involved. This can lead to such charges as forgery, false information and identity fraud. Each state is different in dealing with ID laws, but using a completely forged ID or an ID of another person is considered a crime. If charged with a felony ID offense over a year of jail time can be faced. Less severe punishments are fines, as a first time offender may be charged with $1,000. Probation is also a common sentence and can be assigned for 12 months or more.
Yes, many students especially here in Boston do have fake IDs; there’s no denying that, especially with the technology available today. However, many people don’t realize the seriousness of having such forged documents. Just make sure you have the facts before deciding whether or not to get one, and determine for yourself whether its worth risking it or simply waiting until your 21st like most people. Trust me, you won’t be missing out on much other than drunken messes and spending your college savings. So don’t be peer pressured by your friends; it’s not that difficult to wait, and it’ll make turning 21 so much more exciting.