Three Vodka Sodas and a Bubbling Laminate
On a Saturday night, three young women come into a licensed college bar in DeKalb. The first, who says her name is 'Alex,' hands you an out-of-state driver's license from Wisconsin. The birthdate is 03/14/2003, which would make her 22. The photo shows a woman with dark hair and a nose ring; Alex has blonde hair and no nose ring, but her face shape is similar. The laminate on the card is bubbling near the corner, and the font for the birthdate looks slightly thicker than the rest. The second woman, 'Bri,' has no ID and says she left it in the car. The third, 'Casey,' has an Illinois ID that is vertical and reads 'UNDER 21 UNTIL 08/22/2025'; she says she is the designated driver and orders a soda. Alex orders three vodka sodas: one for herself, one for Bri, and one for Casey. You ask Alex for a second ID, and she says she doesn't have one. Bri says, 'Come on, we're all 21, just let us in.' The bar is crowded, and the bouncer is at the door. The bar's policy is 'no ID, no service' and 'two forms of ID for out-of-state IDs that look altered.'
1. Evaluate Alex's ID. What indicators suggest it may be fake, and can you accept it?
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Alex's ID has several red flags: it is out-of-state, the photo does not match her current appearance (hair color and nose ring), the laminate is bubbling, and the birthdate font is inconsistent with the rest of the card. The name and face are only similar, not a clear match. Under the bar's policy, an out-of-state ID that looks altered requires a second form of ID, and Alex has none. You cannot accept it. A valid Wisconsin license is generally acceptable, but this one appears altered or at least unreliable. Do not serve her and do not let the group pressure you into accepting it.
2. How should you handle the order for the three drinks, including Bri and Casey?
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Refuse the entire alcohol order. Alex has no acceptable ID. Bri has no ID at all and appears under 30, so she cannot be served. Casey's Illinois ID is vertical and says 'UNDER 21 UNTIL 08/22/2025,' which means she is 20, not 21; she can have her soda, but she cannot be served alcohol. Because Alex ordered three vodka sodas - including one for Casey and one for Bri - serving the order would furnish alcohol to at least one minor and to a person without ID. Offer soda or water, ask them to leave if they argue, and notify the manager or bouncer. Do not serve 'just one' to Alex to avoid a scene.
3. What are the risks and legal consequences if you serve them, and what should you do with the ID?
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If you serve them, you risk a sale to a minor - a Class A misdemeanor for you, with up to 364 days in jail and/or a $2,500 fine - plus ILCC administrative action against the bar, including suspension or revocation. The bar could also face civil liability if a minor is injured or injures someone. The person using a fake ID can be prosecuted, and the bar's policy violation weakens its position. With Alex's ID, follow store policy: refuse service, document the incident, and either return the ID and ask them to leave or, if your policy allows and you suspect a crime, contact the police. Never confiscate an ID by force; use the bouncer or manager.