2008 Woodie Awards
Fake IDs more serious than students may realize
By: Gina Potthoff
Issue date: 3/25/08 Section: Campus
Though the number of fake identification offenses in Bowling Green is unknown, students should be aware there are serious consequences in place for those who break this law.
Fake IDs are very common, Bowling Green police detective Justin White said.
White, a member of the Bowling Green Police for almost seven years, said most students who get them don't realize the ramifications.
Faking documents is a very serious offense and has been taken more seriously since 9/11, White said.
Using a fake ID is a misdemeanor in the first degree and violates a law under the prohibited acts, which carries a sentence of anywhere up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Specifically, the use of a fake ID is a misrepresentation of persons under 21 years of age, White said.
Though the offense may not seem serious, it does go on a person's permanent criminal record.
Bowling Green Police and BGSU Police work together to crack down on student fake ID use, sharing information on cases on and off campus when necessary to carry out the law.
In addition to legal consequences, a student caught using a fake ID may also have to answer to the University.
The Office of Student Discipline gets the police blotter everyday and looks for inappropriate student behaviors that warrant regulation.
Underage drinking is the most common offense disciplined but public urination and indecent exposure offenses also come up often, said Michael Ginsburg, interim associate dean of students and a member of the Office of Student Discipline staff.
He estimated the University finds students with off-campus fake ID violations a few times a week.
According to the BGSU Student Handbook 2007-2008, once an incident is reported, the student is brought in to read through the report and to discuss the code of student conduct violation with the office.
From there the student has two options, Ginsburg said.
A student can accept responsibility for the crime and be given a sanction, which is usually a warning or probation in addition to some sort of reflection project or community service that will teach them not to commit the offense again, or they can ask for a formal hearing, in which case they fight the charge before the University Discipline Committee and await the decision of the dean of students, he said.
Fake IDs are very common, Bowling Green police detective Justin White said.
White, a member of the Bowling Green Police for almost seven years, said most students who get them don't realize the ramifications.
Faking documents is a very serious offense and has been taken more seriously since 9/11, White said.
Using a fake ID is a misdemeanor in the first degree and violates a law under the prohibited acts, which carries a sentence of anywhere up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Specifically, the use of a fake ID is a misrepresentation of persons under 21 years of age, White said.
Though the offense may not seem serious, it does go on a person's permanent criminal record.
Bowling Green Police and BGSU Police work together to crack down on student fake ID use, sharing information on cases on and off campus when necessary to carry out the law.
In addition to legal consequences, a student caught using a fake ID may also have to answer to the University.
The Office of Student Discipline gets the police blotter everyday and looks for inappropriate student behaviors that warrant regulation.
Underage drinking is the most common offense disciplined but public urination and indecent exposure offenses also come up often, said Michael Ginsburg, interim associate dean of students and a member of the Office of Student Discipline staff.
He estimated the University finds students with off-campus fake ID violations a few times a week.
According to the BGSU Student Handbook 2007-2008, once an incident is reported, the student is brought in to read through the report and to discuss the code of student conduct violation with the office.
From there the student has two options, Ginsburg said.
A student can accept responsibility for the crime and be given a sanction, which is usually a warning or probation in addition to some sort of reflection project or community service that will teach them not to commit the offense again, or they can ask for a formal hearing, in which case they fight the charge before the University Discipline Committee and await the decision of the dean of students, he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 6
JFDoering
posted 3/25/08 @ 1:54 AM EST
It's time for the University to move out of the 20th century and knock off this "parent" routine. If a student gets in trouble with the BG Police off campus, 'nuff said. (Continued…)
CC
posted 3/25/08 @ 2:59 PM EST
I got a fake ID taken away but nothing happened to me. Now I do feel that it is a little ridiculous on how this place is getting with how they deal with college students. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 3/25/08 @ 11:12 PM EST
The university has to play parent with most students under the age of 21 because they don't have common sense. Maybe I'm being critical because I am 21, but it wasn't too long ago that I wasn't and I remember being able to have fun at bars without a beer in my hand. (Continued…)
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