Minor in Possession Attorney in Los Angeles
Minor Possessing Alcoholic Beverage
California prohibits minors under the age of 21 from possessing alcohol 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 MIP 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.
Years of Experience on Your Side
At Lessem, Newstat & Tooson, LLP, our legal team has represented many young people charged with 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 an MIP charge and how our firm can help, call (818) 643-3093 for a free consultation or complete a free online case evaluation form.