There are a host of offenses that can be either a Class A Misdemeanor or a Class 4 felony if you knowingly possess or display a fictitious or unlawfully altered driver’s license or permit. (See 625 ILCS 5/6-301.1). Simply possessing such a license is a Class A Misdemeanor on a first offense and a Class 4 felony on a later offense.
It is also a Class 4 felony if you possess or display that altered license under any of the following circumstances:
- You wanted to obtain an account, credit, credit or debit card from a bank, financial institution or retail store
- You committed any other crime which can be sentenced to more than one year in prison.
- You intended to commit a theft, deception, or credit or debit card fraud in violation of any law of this State or any law of any other jurisdiction;
- You did so while in possession without authority of any document, instrument, or device capable of defrauding another;
- You did so intending to acquire any other identification document;
- to knowingly issue or assist in the issuance of any fictitious driver’s license or permit;
- You knowingly alter or attempt to alter any driver’s license or permit;
- You knowingly manufacture, possess, transfer, or provide any identification document whether real or fictitious for the purpose of obtaining a fictitious driver’s license or permit;
- You purchase or attempt to purchase any ticket for a common carrier or to board or attempt to board any common carrier;
- You have a license that is suspended or revoked.
Later violations of the above are a Class 3 felony.
If you are charged with a fictitious driver’s ID or similar offense, contact an experienced criminal law attorney immediately. An attorney can review your case for your best possible defense. As with most crimes, the state must prove you guilty of all elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Was the search that uncovered the ID legal? Did you commit the offense knowingly? Even if the search was legal and the evidence against you was overwhelming, an attorney who is respected in the courthouse may be able to negotiate a more favorable plea agreement than you could on your own.
If you have questions about this or another related Illinois criminal or traffic matter, please contact Matt Keenan at 847-568-0160 or email matt@mattkeenanlaw.com.
(Besides Skokie, Matt Keenan also serves the communities of Arlington Heights, Chicago, Deerfield, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Morton Grove, Mount Prospect, Niles, Northbrook, Park Ridge, Rolling Meadows, Wilmette and Winnetka.)