I was recently arrested for using a fake ID to buy alcohol in DC, should I pay for an attorney

Yes, it will. You've already made one mistake, don't make another - come up with the cash and get yourself an attorney. It could very well go your way with the whole community service thing (that happened to me in college), but you don't want to risk it going on your record. Pay 1k now so that you aren't passed over for a job because of this later.

Get an attorney.

Also, are you my daughter by any chance? If so we need to talk

Get a lawyer; it's well worth the investment

How did the store know it was a fake?

DC Area Partier wrote:

Yes, it will. You've already made one mistake, don't make another - come up with the cash and get yourself an attorney. It could very well go your way with the whole community service thing (that happened to me in college), but you don't want to risk it going on your record. Pay 1k now so that you aren't passed over for a job because of this later.

^this

You don't want anything to come up on a background check and depending how the charge reads it could make you look very untrustworthy to an employer. Pay the lawyer. There's a good chance a local attorney will know and be at least professionally friendly with the prosecutor and judge and you may walk with a fine and no record.

Quick somewhat related story. An open container violation in NYC requires a court appearance. The charge against you is read and if the officer failed to record the brand of beer as evidence the charge is dismissed. Weird technicalities happen in court and a lawyer knows them.

Check if your college has a student legal services program or something similar. I wouldn't trust what the attorney you met with said.The attorney has an incentive to misled you so you hire him. I've never heard of anybody actually getting convicted for trying to get alcohol. Everyone I know that got caught had to do community service or pay a bunch of $$$ to take a BS alcohol education class.

Isn't jamin going to prison for drinking?

You planned and plotted to break the law. You obtained false instruments of identification to do so and then actually used them in the commission of a crime. This is not a simple issue and the outcome can have lifelong consequences. Make sure your ass is well covered.

1. trust the cop

2. trust the legal system

3. get a fake lawyer

4. get a better fake id

5. good to confess right here on the internet as well

6. oh its on your record

TAA wrote:

Check if your college has a student legal services program or something similar. I wouldn't trust what the attorney you met with said. The attorney has an incentive to misled you so you hire him. I've never heard of anybody actually getting convicted for trying to get alcohol. Everyone I know that got caught had to do community service or pay a bunch of $$$ to take a BS alcohol education class.

Agree with this. The attorney is obviously going to convince you that you need an attorney.. homeboy wants to get paid. go a cheaper route and check out the option quoted above.

If you are 19, then it isn't your money, anyway.

Get help.

Do you think you might be an alcoholic to go to these extremes? Why do you need to drink and/or have parties that involve alcohol?

Stop breaking the law. Stop drinking. Stop being an idiot.

If you feel comfortable finding out the District Attorney or other counsel involved and contacting that person before trial, then you don't need an attorney. If what I just said sounds unpleasant to you, then get an attorney.

Shoebacca wrote:

If you feel comfortable finding out the District Attorney or other counsel involved and contacting that person before trial, then you don't need an attorney. If what I just said sounds unpleasant to you, then get an attorney.

This is actually the best advice. Try to talk to the DA for advice before the trial.

If your parents have $$$$$ get the attorney.

I am McLovin.

Kind of irrelevant now, but how is it possibly easier/cheaper to get a fake ID than it would be to just find someone over the age of 21 to buy the stuff for you?

La Serra wrote:

Get help.

Do you think you might be an alcoholic to go to these extremes?

More than likely he's not an alcoholic. He's underage. Huge difference.

[quote]La Serra wrote:

Why do you need to drink and/or have parties that involve alcohol?

I think college kids need to learn to drink in moderation, but he drinks for the reason most Americans drink. They find it enjoyable

Just looked up the stats for people 178+: 86% of Americans have had a drink in their lives, 56% in the last month. I'd have guessed it was higher. It is higher for higher socio economic groups which runners fall in. See this

Check this out:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2014/09/25/think-you-drink-a-lot-this-chart-will-tell-you/

10% of Americans drink 73 drinks a week if you believe it. Crazy.