False Online ID

ShysterJon's Avatar
I've never heard of such a law and the way it's described in this thread I think it's highly unlikely that such a law exists. Nevertheless, I scanned all the relevant sections of the Texas Penal Code and didn't find a law even remotely like what we're discussing. I think the sheriff was either misinformed, fucking with you, or joking.
Waldo P. Emerson-Jones's Avatar
I vaguely recall an online dating site (think it was "True") that required potential members to represent that they were not married and did not have a felony conviction and agree to a background check of their real identification by the site. I also vaguely recall the site lobbied for a law to criminalize submitting false info, but don't think it was enacted. I could be totally wrong about parts of this but that may be what your sheriff was thinking about.
Sarcastro's Avatar
It might be a crime in some circumstances to impersonate a real person on a networking site and represent that persona as your own, but I don't think that's what you had in mind. See §33.07. Unless, of course, there's a real FatBastard out there that you're impersonating?
Cpalmson's Avatar
This fucking country has too many fucking stupid laws. We have to build new jails b/c whiners always come up with a new reason to put people in jail. We have stupid mandatory sentences for drug possession, drunk driving, you name it. Jail/prisons should be reserved for truly violent offenders. For everything else, let's bring back the good old stockades. Stand in the center of town for 8 hours and be ridiculed by your fellow citizens.
Cant one claim "ignorance" at least once? So when you go to court for this issue..

"Sorry your Honor, Ive been hobbying/providing so long I forgot my real name"

<Facepalm>
Gotyour6's Avatar
Most states say you can use an AKA as long as fraud is not intended