Caught with a fake ID? What consequences do USC college students face
Halloween weekend is often considered one of the biggest party weekend of the year for many college students. In Columbia, lines to get into local bars wind down the street.
Some may be underage, armed with fake IDs. But what if they get caught?
Certain bars simply confiscate the IDs, and those who possess them are turned away. But if university or law enforcement get involved, it can become more serious. In those cases, many recommend calling a lawyer.
Under South Carolina state law, it is illegal to alter a driver’s license to provide false information, and it is illegal to issue a fake driver’s license.
Fake ID charges in South Carolina often fall into two categories, according to the Law Offices of Moses Marion, a Columbia attorney.
The first is possession of a forged or counterfeit ID, or one that was fraudulently altered. The second is the possession of a fake ID that misrepresents their age for the purpose of purchasing alcohol or entering establishments with age restrictions.
Using or attempting to use a fake ID is a misdemeanor. It can come with legal and financial penalties. Those convicted could face up to 30 days in jail, hundreds of dollars in fines and driver’s license suspensions up to six months.
According to Columbia firm Masella Law, fake ID convictions do appear on a criminal record.
For students at the University of South Carolina, those who get caught with a fake ID often face a student conduct referral, spokesman Jeff Stensland said. USC requires an online educational class and a “reflection paper” for those found responsible.
Scholarships are not affected, Stensland said
Only about a dozen recent fake ID cases have been reported by the university, Stensland said.
This story was originally published October 30, 2025 at 12:51 PM.
