Kevin (McGrath) says, "It's pretty commonplace in my experience for people to have several names which they use on different occasions and in different settings..." That may be true, but on the occasion of applying for a driver's license or a state identification card in the setting of the United States, one is supposed to give one's legal name, and there are laws against using other names for the purpose. I would be surprised if this was not the case in any other civilized country!

Here is a page listing the identification requirements for obtaining a drivers license or personal identification card in the state of Michigan: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/DE40_032001_20459_7.pdf (this is an Acrobat Reader document)

According to this page, "Every individual applying for an original driver license, temporary instruction permit, or personal identification card must present acceptable identification documents for proof of name and date of birth. Any identification document presented is subject to approval by Department of State personnel...." Following this is a list of acceptable documents, and adult applicants are required to present three documents from the list, including at least one from the "primary group" that includes a US government-issued birth certificate (not a hospital birth certificate), military ID, passport, out-of-state photo ID and out-of-state drivers license with photo. Then there's a "secondary group" of documents that includes an automobile title or registration (from Michigan or another state) and an order for a name change from a US court, among other documents.

Apparently, Madelyn Toogood submitted one or more documents with a false name. If so, this is more serious than just telling an official that one wants to use one's maiden name or some such. I don't see why it's somehow less than "civilized" to arrest someone for submitting a document or documents to state authorities, required for proof of name, that contains a false name.