Reportedly, according to the Federal Trade Commission, Detroit is one of the 5 leading cities in the United States for people stealing other individuals' identities. Maybe the concern should be rephrased as "can Michigan afford not to increase charges for making, offering, and using phony motorist's licenses?" Though the focus of the bill appears to be on increasing penalties for the making, selling, and using of deceptive and counterfeit IDs for criminal offenses associated with identity theft, it would likewise develop harder penalties for those who furnish minors with fake IDs for the purpose of buying alcohol and for those minors who use a fake ID to buy alcohol.
However, Home Costs 4037 specifies that an individual who offers a fake ID to another would be guilty of a felony punishable by as much as five years in jail or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both. Likewise, making or using a phony ID for an offense classified as a misdemeanor that is punishable by imprisonment for more than 92 days would likewise be a felony offense under Home Bill 4037.
The increased penalties for infractions of the laws prohibiting minor drinking should act as a strong deterrent and should have a favorable influence on minors acting more responsibly. The provision of Home Bill 4037 that would bump minor alcohol purchases and providing a small with a fraudulent ID to a felony offense appears extremely severe.
The issues associated with minor drinking are well recorded. People who begin to consume at a young age are at more risk for establishing alcoholism. At least half of all crimes are devoted by persons under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Around half of all traffic accidents by 16- to 21-year-olds include the usage of alcohol.
The issue of minor drinking is really major, and maybe it is time to stop thinking of kids and beer being a rite of passage. Besides, some feel that the wording of the provisions in House Bill 4037 would give prosecutors discretion in how to charge an individual. A small utilizing a fake ID to purchase alcohol or an individual furnishing a small with a phony ID might be charged under either statute depending upon the aspects of the case.