Trial Lawyers Relentlessly Pursuing Justice
Los Angeles Minor in Possession Defense Attorneys
Years of Experience on Your Side
At Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP, our legal team has represented many young people charged with “minor in possession” (MIP) and other related offenses, including many high school and college students. We understand the situations in which these charges arise and how to defend our clients’ futures by working toward dismissals or reductions of charges and penalties.
If you have questions about a minor in possession charge and how our firm can help, call (818) 643-3093 for a free consultation or complete a free online case evaluation form.
Minor Possessing Alcoholic Beverage
California prohibits minors under the age of 21 from possessing alcoholic beverages in a public place. This law, also known as MIP, is established under California’s Business and Professions Code § 25662 BP.
Minor in possession is a misdemeanor offense punishable by the following penalties:
- $250 fine; or
- Between 24 to 32 hours of community service
If convicted of a second or subsequent MIP offense, penalties may include:
- $500 fine; or
- Between 36 and 48 hours of community service
Minors convicted of MIP may also face driver’s license penalties, including a possible one-year suspension of their driver’s license. If they do not yet have a driver’s license, penalties may include a one-year delay in obtaining a license.
MIP convictions will be seen on one’s permanent record, and may therefore have negative consequences on a young person’s future opportunities, including employment opportunities. Because of this, fighting an MIP charge is important to protecting one’s future. If you or your child has recently been charged for minor in possession, our Los Angeles criminal defense lawyers at Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP are prepared to help.
Defense Against Minor in Possession Charges
Defense strategies for MIP charges must be tailored to the unique circumstances involved in a case. In some situations, defenses may focus on the fact that minors were not in actual possession of an alcoholic beverage or that they were it delivering it for an employer or parent. Our attorneys work personally with clients to fully understand all facts related to their case.
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Supportive with Clients. Aggressive in Court.
Navigating the legal system can be complicated. To maximize your chance of securing the best outcome possible, it is essential that you reach out to us without delay. When you hire our firm, we will work quickly to gather every detail, examine every piece of evidence, and build a strong case.
We will not hesitate to go toe-to-toe in trial with an insurance company, corporation, prosecutor, or law enforcement officer. Regardless of the type of situation you are involved in, rest assured that we will do everything we can to protect your rights and help you secure the most favorable result possible.
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The Lessem, Newstat & Tooson Team
Our Clients Are Our Focus.
When facing complex legal matters, it is not uncommon to encounter an issue that needs immediate attention from your team.
For this reason, we are available to assist our clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure any questions or concerns you may have will be addressed immediately. With around the clock service and multiple office locations, clients throughout Southern California can be confident knowing our counsel is available to them whenever and wherever they need it.
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