Minor in Possession of Alcohol in Arizona - four youngsters holding liquor bottles wrapped in brown paper bags

29 Dec MIP: Minor in Possession of Alcohol in Arizona

Posted at 15:58h in Drug Possession, DUI, Minor in Possession by

If you are under 21 and you are caught possessing or consuming alcohol this holiday weekend or otherwise, you can face some serious consequences. If you’re a young adult or if you have children who are in their teens, you’ve likely heard of or have possibly dealt with the charge of “MIP” or Minor in Possession of Alcohol in Arizona. When you’re young you are most susceptible to making dumb mistakes, but some of those dumb mistakes can haunt you in the form of a criminal record that can dampen your professional prospects for years to come. Don’t let a silly mistake when you’re young ruin your future!

Minor in Possession or Minor consumption of alcohol is one of the most common charges that the Arizona Juvenile courts deal with, but that doesn’t make it any less serious. Even if you are underage, it is still invaluable to have a certified criminal law specialist to back you up and prevent you from having a permanent criminal record.

While it is possible to face a criminal conviction and real jail time, this usually doesn’t happen with a first offense–especially with a criminal defense lawyer in your corner. Minor in Possession of Alcohol in Arizona usually involves the following penalties:

  • Community service
  • 1 year probation
  • Alcohol or Addiction classes

 
Oftentimes you may be able to get a deferred prosecution, where there is no judgement. You will instead meet with a probation officer for at least 6 months, and the charges may be dropped due to good behavior. This is often the best option if the opportunity is presented to avoid the possibility of a criminal record.

If you are facing alcohol-related charges whether it’s a DUI or Minor in Possession, especially after a dangerous time to engage in risky behavior like a holiday weekend,  contact Todd Coolidge immediately.

*The information in this blog is for general information purposes only. This blog post should not be taken to constitute a formal recommendation or professional advice. We exclude all representations, warranties, legal liability or responsibility relating to its content.

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (12/29/2016) Incase (Flickr)

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