Going Deeper into Minor in Possession Charges
People who face Minor in Possession charges could face some significant consequences. Anyone under the age of 21 who is caught illegally drinking or handling an alcoholic beverage can be charged with this offense. Even if it was your friend’s beer in your fridge, or if you took one sip at the bar while you held on to your friend’s drink during a bathroom trip, you could face jail time and big fines.
As a Class C misdemeanor, a Minor in Possession charge can cost the defendant up to $500. That means no spring break trip, a big cut from your dream-car fund, and a potentially severe drain of your college funds. Minor in Possession convictions also make it more difficult to get into colleges and graduate schools. Imagine not getting into your top-choice school because of your underage criminal record. Plus, if you are over the age of 18, there is no leeway, as it is not a juvenile offense. Your record may never be clean again.
Even those who are found not guilty will have to spend a great deal of valuable time dealing with court proceedings. In other words, you will lose time to study for tests, spend time with your friends, and do other things you love.
Further, if the defendant was already convicted of the offense in the past, the fine can be increased to a maximum of $2,000. Repeat offenders face jail sentences of up to six months, and even first-time offenders can have their driver’s licenses revoked.
Allow Us to Help with a Minor in Possession Charge
Many people make the mistake of trying to deal with a Minor in Possession charge without the aid of a lawyer. Trying to handle an alcohol-related case alone may lead to a much less favorable outcome. If you need an experienced trial lawyer to defend you in a Minor in Possession case, Bill Kennedy Law can help. Possession cases are a major focus of our practice, and we have helped many minors throughout the state of Texas end up with the best results possible in their cases. Bill Kennedy and his legal team will work with you every step of the way while we fight to mitigate costly fines and keep your permanent record clean.