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Comment by sammyo | Hacker News Reader

Carying any false ID would be a very very bad idea. They give prison sentences for stuff like that. Fake id on a kid looking to buy beer is one thing, that's probably just going to get taken away, but up against the wrong judge could be a significant issue.

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The website does have some good advice on the matter:

They’re completely fake, of course, and would be illegal to use in any situation where you actually have to show ID, but for showing fake cops when they cite fake laws? Nothing more appropriate than fake ID.

So, probably not a great idea to show it to a real cop.

In this case, though, the ID is not falsely identifying the individual. While I suppose you might get in trouble with the cards in the article -- which falsely claim they were issued by certain organizations -- I don't think there'd be anything wrong with an official-looking "photographer" ID that does not make such claims. Whether created yourself or under the aegis of a photography club, it would have the same defusing effect on fake law enforcement.

Apparently, a variety of real, non-governmental organizations already issue such passes: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Press_pass#News_agency_cards

A blogger could have his blog issue himself a press id. Nothing fake there. Hey, PG could issue us all press credentials.

Sounds like you're asking for trouble :)

You work for HackerNews? Straight to Gitmo!

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