Top Yorktown, NY Minor in Possession Lawyers Near You
With Almost 30 Years of Criminal Law Experience, Mr. Tilem, a Former Prosecutor and His Team Have the Skills, Experience, and Knowledge To Defend Your Rights and Win Your Case.
FOCUSED on FEDERAL CHARGES. Experienced Former Federal Prosecutor, Protecting Your Rights & Freedom In Your Defense Of A Federal Criminal Charge
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A Strong Defense From A Former NYC Prosecutor. Experience On Both Sides Of The Courtroom. Call For FREE Consultation. Avail 24/7
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Dedicated To Representing My Clients With The Utmost Attention, Care, & Experience With All Types Of Federal & State Charges.
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Facing Federal or State Charges in New York or New Jersey? Retain a Respected & Successful NYC Criminal Defense Lawyer. Samuel has been Selected to Super Lawyers Since 2011!
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123-60 83rd Avenue, Suite 1T, Kew Gardens, NY 11415
Law Office of Luke Scardigno helps clients in the Yorktown area handle cases involving Minor in Possession.
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1178 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10001
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Bulldog Law has experience helping clients with their Minor in Possession needs in Yorktown, New York.
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521 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1729, New York, NY 10175
Contact The Law Office of Jeffrey Chabrowe in Yorktown, New York for experienced legal assistance in Minor in Possession.
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16 Court Street, Suite 3500, Brooklyn, NY 11241
Getting legal representation for your Minor in Possession issue is easier than you think. Let Law Offices of Samuel Gregory P.C. in Yorktown, New York help you today.
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250 Fulton Ave, Suite 340, Hempstead, NY 11550
1185 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 3400, New York, NY 10036-4003
Westchester Financial Center, 50 Main Street, Suite 1000, White Plains, NY 10606
20 Vesey Stree, Suite 400, New York, NY 10007
1225 Franklin Avenue, Suite 325, Garden City, NY 11530
863 Islip Ave, Central Islip, NY 11722
100 Broadhollow Rd, Ste 100, Farmingdale, NY 11735
38 Melnick Dr, Monsey, NY 10952
2 Sarles Street, Mount Kisco, NY 10549
347 5th Ave, Suite 1402, New York, NY 10016
150 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017-5639
200 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10166
155-03 Jamaica Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11432
1441 Broadway, 3rd FL, New York, NY 10018
7 Times Sq, 44th Floor, New York, NY 10036
450 7th Ave, Suite 408, New York, NY 10123
1 Dosoris Lane, Glen Cove, NY 11542
350 Motor Pkwy, Suite 308, Hauppauge, NY 11788
1424 Zerega Ave, Bronx, NY 10462-5410
1211 6th Ave, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10036
306 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11201-5125
Yorktown Minor in Possession Information
Lead Counsel independently verifies Minor In Possession attorneys in Yorktown and checks their standing with New York 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 York?
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.