Advice for incoming students

<p>Okay, this is something really important.</p>

<p>In their efforts to reduce crime statistics, the NYC police is really going to start cracking down on fake IDs, including drivers' licenses. If you are caught with a fake driver's license, you can be charged with a felony offense (yes, a felony!) because you forged a government-issued document. You can end up spending a few nights in jail until you can raise bail, be arraigned, or whatever.</p>

<p>In the past, the police were much more lenient because it wasn't seen as a very pressing issue. Now that crime is down across the boards, if they want to keep improving their stats, they are going to have to start looking at things that they used to let slide. This is just a warning to underage people looking to drink.</p>

<p>I'm passing this info on because I heard it yesterday in a speech given by NYU Public Safety. Whether or not you agree with the NYC Police's views, the law is the law and they will enforce it. Again, this is a warning. No one I know wants to have to call their parents across state lines and explain why they're in jail. :) I don't want anyone's freshman year to be spoiled by a stint in jail and a trip through the criminal justice system.</p>

<p>I wonder if we're even going to see any effects of the NYPD cracking down on fake IDs. It seems like the majority of NYU students have one, so it's almost like p2p sharing...literally everybody does it, so banning it is difficult if not impossible to enforce. Plus, it's unlikely that bouncers and/or liquor store owners will follow suit, since they make so much money from underage college students looking to drink or have a good time.</p>

<p>well...i'm not a big drinker...and i dont smoke....so idk...i dont think i'll be getting a fake ID....i never really saw the point of drinking to get drunk....always seemed strange to me.... but whatever floats ur boat....</p>

<p>it's not jsut nyu. most of the ny schools have sent out letters discussing fake ids.
a fake drivers license is a felony...in dutchess county which is a nice big fine and a min of 7 years in prison.</p>

<p>though for some reason.. .a lot of other fake ids are only misdemenors (1 year in prison.. and a lesser fine)</p>

<p>though i think the fake id thing has really been elevated in this country because of the whole homeland security thing. that's probably one of the reasons it's been up'd to a felony.</p>

<p>I've also commented on the underage id in bars/clubs etc before. The law is that they have to check your id and be reasonably convinced you're over 21. "reasonable" is the word that keeps the establishment from being sued in court, fined, and losing it's license. So most smart places are going to check... and they may know it's a fake... but as long as they can protect themselves in court.. they're probably not going to care.</p>