Can a bouncer refuse to return your ID to you?
I went to a bar with a fake ID. As I the bouncer was checking my ID the friends I was going to meet were leaving so I told the bouncer I did not need to go in anymore. The bouncer said that he thought the ID was fake and refused to return the ID and told me I could leave. I told them that I would leave if they returned the ID to me. The cops were called and I got charged with varying fake ID charges. Are the bouncers allowed to refuse to return the ID to me since it is not their property? Had they taken my ID in the first place the situation would have not become the legal issue it now is. I understand refusing service or entry but in the state of Pennsylvania I do not believe a bouncer is allowed to withhold an ID. Is there any way that I could at least get the bar to cover some of my criminal charges?
I quite agree with my Philadelphia colleague; you most certainly ought to focus on securing qualified legal representation for yourself. My suspicion is that you are a student at Penn State. If that's correct your entire adult future lies ahead, and the last thing you want at this point is the ball and chain of this charges dragging you down. Times are tough generally right now for recent college grads; don't make it worse for yourself by exploring how you can respond to the circumstances facing you from your own actions. YOU presented a fake ID. The bouncer working for a liquor licensee is not only permitted to keep your fake ID, he is required to do so. Reach out to Attorney Jason Dunkle in State College. He is one, the only one I know personally, such qualified local criminal defense attorney who is very familiar with the handling of alcohol offenses by young people in Centre County. You can easily find the contact info for him on this website's "Find a Lawyer" feature. Good luck. This is not a place for you to learn by doing it yourself.
If it's a fake ID it's contraband and can be confiscated. Whether there might be some other defense to this scenario, I'm not sure without more details.
When you say "get the bar to cover some of my criminal charges" do you mean pay for your defense? There is certainly no way to force them to and I'd be surprised if they volunteered. Your biggest concern right now is dealing with the criminal charges filed against you, especially if they are accusing you of false ID charges. Those charges could be considered crimes of dishonesty and could have serious future consequences for you. You need to hire and speak to an attorney, in confidence, as soon as possible.
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