Top Haddonfield, NJ Minor in Possession Lawyers Near You
As a former Assistant Prosecutor, I know how the State builds its case against you. Call today for a free consultation!
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A boutique law firm fighting for everyday people whether you are a U.S. citizen or not!
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Criminal Cases Require An Aggressive Lawyer Who Knows The Court. With Years of Experience in New Jersey, Attorney Michael Smolensky Will Fight to Protect Your Rights.
No Matter What Your Situation, We Have Your Back. That's What We Do! Call Rosenberg Perry & Associates Today!
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118 White Horse Road West, Voorhees, NJ 08043
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For legal issues concerning Minor in Possession, let Rosenberg | Perry & Associates LLC, a local practice in Haddonfield, New Jersey, help you find a solution.
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The DePersia Building, 511 Market St., Camden, NJ 08102
Choose DeCosmo Law for qualified Minor in Possession representation in the Haddonfield, New Jersey area.
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1950 Marlton Pike E., Suite 100, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
Get experienced Minor in Possession help from Ginsberg & O'Connor, PC, a reputable law firm in Haddonfield, New Jersey.
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20 Brace Rd, Suite 325, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
1940 Route 70 East, Suite 100, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
1120 NJ-73, Suite 420, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
15000 Midlantic Drive, Suite 200, PO Box 5429, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
850 Rt 70 West, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
3000 Atrium Way, Suite 200, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
95 South Broadway, Pennsville, NJ 08070
1913 Greentree Road, Suite C, Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
109 E Atlantic Ave, Audubon, NJ 08106
126 White Horse Park, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035
126 White Horse Park, Haddon Heights, NJ 08035
28 Cooper Street, Woodbury, NJ 08096-4618
39 East Main Street, Moorestown, NJ 08057
1103 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043
220 Lake Drive East, Suite 210, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
38 North Haddon Avenue, Suite 100, Haddonfield, NJ 08033
101 Route 130 South, Suite 306, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
151 Greentree Road, Marlton, NJ 08053
1010 Kings Highway South, Building 2, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034
511 Market Street, Camden, NJ 08102
306 West Somerdale Road, Voorhees, NJ 08043
519 Market, PO Box 1067, Camden, NJ 08101
Haddonfield Minor in Possession Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Minor In Possession attorneys in Haddonfield and checks their standing with New Jersey bar associations.
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How Do I Get a Minor in Possession?
Someone who is under the age of 21 can get a minor in possession (MIP) charge if they are found to be in possession of alcohol in public. In many cases, an MIP charge comes from being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Examples of how someone gets a minor in possession charge include:
- Driver is pulled over with an open container of alcohol in the vehicle
- Police bust a party where underage people are drinking alcohol
- College student is caught with a flask of alcohol
- Underage person used a fake ID to buy beer from a convenience store
In general, it is against the law for someone under the age of 21 to consume or be in possession of alcohol. It is also against the law for someone to furnish alcohol to a minor or buy alcohol for someone under 21. The term “minor” generally refers to someone who is under the age of 18 and not an adult. However, minor in possession laws can still target an adult who is 18 years old but is still not of age to buy alcohol.
Some police activity involves searching for and busting minors who have an alcoholic beverage. However, most cases involving an MIP charge occur when the police are responding for some other reason and encounter a minor with alcohol in their possession, including:
- Traffic stops
- Car accidents
- Noise complaints
- Shoplifting
- Crisis response
- Assault
- Harassment
How Bad Is a Minor in Possession?
A minor in possession charge can be an infraction or a misdemeanor. In many cases, an MIP is treated as an infraction with a fine. As a misdemeanor, an MIP charge could but rarely involves jail time. The possible penalties involved with a minor in possession charge include:
- Jail time
- Fines
- Alcohol education program
- Community service
- Probation
- Driver’s license suspension
Does a Minor in Possession Affect Car Insurance?
In general, an MIP charge will not affect your car insurance. However, if you are found in possession of alcohol while driving and charged with an underage DUI, it may increase your insurance rates. A DUI can stay on your driving record for years and could impact your insurance premiums. Some car insurance companies will drop coverage and no longer insure someone after a DUI.
There is generally a zero-tolerance policy towards underage drinking and driving. An adult with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% may be considered impaired. However, drivers under the age of 21 can get an underage DUI with only a trace amount of alcohol in their system. If an MIP involves an underage drunk driving charge, it can affect the driver’s car insurance rates.
Will a Minor in Possession Show Up on a Background Check?
A background check can show the individual’s prior criminal history, including arrests, convictions, active warrants, and infractions. Someone may have to undergo a background check for employment, housing application, professional licensing, or to become a Lyft or Uber driver. In general, a prior conviction for a minor in possession will show up on a background check.
Some criminal charges can be expunged or sealed. A public background check may not show criminal charges that were expunged or where the individual’s records are sealed. However, law enforcement and government agencies have greater access to an individual’s criminal history than the public. The court or police department may still be able to see a prior minor in possession charge.
How Do I Avoid an MIP?
In some cases, a person is accused of being a minor in possession because the police officers don’t have evidence of any other crime. When someone under the age of 21 is found in the presence of alcohol, it is easy for the police to charge them with an MIP charge. The penalties may be small but it still can carry a criminal record. Before just paying the fine or pleading guilty, talk to a criminal defense attorney for legal advice.
There may not be a lot of evidence for the prosecutor, which is why prosecutors generally try and get a plea bargain. There are several possible legal defenses to an MIP charge, including:
- Someone else was in possession of the alcohol
- The alcohol was in the possession of an adult
- There was an emergency defense for calling the police
- The police conducted an unlawful search in violation of the defendant’s Fourth Amendment rights
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Minor in Possession in New Jersey?
A minor in possession charge may not seem like a big deal but it can have long-term consequences. An MIP charge can show up on your criminal record. This may require you to declare the prior arrest and explain the situation. Even if it is not a major crime, it may not leave a good impression when you have to explain a prior criminal arrest. You may be able to avoid a criminal conviction with the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer.