False Identification Defense Lawyer in NJ & NY

Valid government identification is necessary to work, travel, attend school, drive, and obtain welfare benefits in New York and New Jersey. It’s a misconception that fake IDs are only for underage students. Many victims have fallen prey to phony ID scams because government identification is necessary to have a quality of life in the United States.

Federal law prohibits the knowing production, possession, and distribution of false identification documents bearing an official emblem or seal. If you’ve been charged with identity documents, a complex crime under 18 U.S.C. § 1028, you need false identification defense attorney Peter Katz.

Understanding Fraud in Connection with Identity Document Charges

The federal law prohibiting the use and production of fake IDs criminalizes the following acts:

• Producing a fake ID
• Transferring a knowingly falsified or stolen identification document
• Possessing or transferring five or more false documents for unlawful purposes
• Having a false ID with the intent to defraud the United States
• Knowingly possessing a stolen ID
• Obtaining an unauthorized United States ID document
• Owning tools to make fake documents with the intent of creating fake IDs

In most federal cases, the FBI is looking for career criminals who produce false identification documents for profit as part of an organized crime ring. If you’ve been charged with creating or possessing multiple fake IDs or tools, U.S. attorneys have likely charged you with one count for every allegedly unlawful document discovered.

This common tactic is designed to scare white-collar defendants into accepting unfavorable plea deals. Contact fraud crimes defense attorney Peter Katz immediately if you’ve been indicted under 18 U.S.C. § 1028 in New Jersey or New York.

Defenses to Federal False ID Charges

Knowledge is essential in false ID cases. If you did not know your identification document was fake or stolen, you should not be charged under 18 U.S.C. § 1028. This may occur if you paid a third-party passport or license service to help you obtain your ID, but it was only a front for an unlawful operation.

Not all privately produced IDs are illegal. They are only unlawful if they mimic a government document such as a United States passport, UN Laissez-Passer, driver’s license, state or federal agency credentials, or foreign government documents. You may produce and obtain school or private identification documents without facing a federal arrest.

Even if you intentionally produced or obtained a false identification document, intent still matters. Producing false documents to support terrorist activities is very different from creating an ID so an undocumented mother can get social benefits. White-collar defense lawyer Peter Katz can negotiate a favorable plea deal in your case if you’ve been charged with identity document fraud.

Contact a Dedicated NY & NJ Fake ID Defense Attorney

Lawyer Peter Katz has over 31 years of experience as a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. If you’ve been charged with multiple counts of producing or possessing fake or stolen IDs under 18 U.S.C. § 1028, contact him immediately to secure the best possible outcome in your case.

Call our New York or New Jersey office at (609) 849-3179 or contact us online to schedule a federal fraud crimes case consultation.