California Penal Code Section 470B PC: Possessing A Fake Driver's License

1. Definition and Elements of the Crime

Just as producing fake driver's licenses and IDs is illegal under California Penal Code Section 470A PC, possessing or displaying a fake ID is also against the law under California Penal Code Section 470B PC and can potentially lead to a felony conviction.

In order to prove a charge of possessing a fake driver's license or ID, a prosecutor must be able to establish the following elements:

1. The defendant possessed or displayed a driver's license or government-issued identification card
2. The driver's license or ID card was altered, falsified, forged, duplicated, reproduced or counterfeited.
3. The defendant knew that the driver's license or ID card was not authentic
4. AND when the defendant possessed or displayed the license or ID he or she intended that it be used to commit a forgery

A person intends to commit forgery when they intend to use a forged, counterfeit, altered, falsified, duplicated, or reproduced document to deceive another person in order to cause loss or damage to a legal, financial or property right. The fraudulent act itself does not actually need to occur for the crime to be committed.

A person does not have to actually hold or touch the ID to possess it. It is enough if the person exercises control over it.

2. Related Offenses

Similar offenses include the following:

1. Forgery - California Penal Code Section 470 PC
2. Forgery of a Driver's License - California Penal Code Section 470A PC
3. Forging, Counterfeiting or Possessing Fraudulent Public Seals - California Penal Code Section 472 PC
4. Unlawful Acts Involving Identification Cards - California Vehicle Code Section 13004 VC
5. Manufacturing or Selling Counterfeit Identification Cards - California Vehicle Code Section 13004.1 VC

3. Examples

A young college student wants to be able to get into different bars and clubs so he buys a fake driver's license. He uses it at a local liquor store and is caught by an undercover police officer. This man could be charged with possessing a fake identification card under California Penal Code Section 470B PC. It does not matter if the false driver's license is a counterfeit of a California license or any other state’s license, as possession of any fake ID is subject to prosecution under the statute.

In another example, an undocumented immigrant wants to be able to get a job so he purchases a fake government identification card. Before he has a chance to apply for work, he is stopped by police at a routine traffic stop and the fake ID is discovered during a search. The man could be charged under the statute even though he did not actually use the document when it was discovered. The statute only requires that he intended to use it for a fraudulent purpose.

4. Defenses to Possessing a Fake Driver's License

If the defendant was not aware that the identification was fake, he or she would have a valid defense against any charge of possessing a fake ID. This may apply to people from other places who legitimately are unfamiliar with how California or other government issued IDs actually appear and are told they have a legitimate identification card.

5. Penalties

Possessing a fake driver's license or other government issued identification is a "wobbler" offense that can be filed as either a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on the defendant's criminal history and the circumstances of the offense. If charged with a misdemeanor, a defendant can face a year in jail and costly court fines. If charged as a felony, the potential sentence is three years in prison.

6. Criminal Defense for Possessing a Fake Driver's License

If you or a loved one have been charged with possessing a fake driver's license it is very important that you speak with a Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney right away. Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Michael Kraut is a former Deputy District Attorney with over 14 years of prosecutorial experience. In many cases, Mr. Kraut is able to intervene early on in the investigation process in order to prevent criminal charges from being filed entirely. Mr. Kraut has established key relationships within law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies and is highly respected for his dedication to his clients and mastery of the law.

For more information about possessing a fake driver's license, and to schedule your free consultation, contact Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney Michael Kraut at the Kraut Law Group Criminal & DUI Lawyers, Inc. located at 6255 Sunset Boulevard, Suite 1520, Los Angeles, CA 90028. Mr. Kraut can be reached 24/7 at (323) 464-6453.