Top Irvine, CA Minor in Possession Lawyers Near You
Arrested? Or Think You May be Arrested? Call David. Interviewed by NBC & Dr Drew for his Criminal Defense Success.
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SoCal Super Lawyers 16 years in a row, AV rated. Criminal defense attorney offering experience, skill and personal attention.
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When Results Matter Most, Put 42 Years of Criminal Defense to Work For You! Open 24/7. Free Consultation.
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6345 Balboa Blvd, Suite 247, Encino, CA 91316
If you need Minor in Possession help in California, contact Law Office of Gregory Rubel, a local practice in Irvine, for legal representation.
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16520 Bake Parkway, Suite 280, Irvine, CA 92618
Representing people in Irvine, California with their Minor in Possession issues.
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260 St. Ann's Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Clients who need legal help with Minor in Possession concerns can contact Law Offices of Barry T. Simons, a reputable law firm in Irvine, California.
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23679 Calabasas Road, Suite 412, Calabasas, CA 91302
Assisting people in California with their Minor in Possession needs. Learn More.
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1440 N Harbor Blvd, Suite 900, Fullerton, CA 92835
Contact Law Offices of David Borsari for experienced Minor in Possession guidance in Irvine, California.
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707 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 3800, Los Angeles, CA 90017
5440 Trabuco Rd, Irvine, CA 92620
575 Anton Blvd, Suite 750, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
600 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90017
535 Anton Blvd., Suite 850, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
695 Town Center Drive, 17th Floor, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
3200 Park Center Dr, Suite 250, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
400 Spectrum Center Drive, Suite 1700, Irvine, CA 92618
23838 Pacific Coast Hwy, No. 309, Malibu, CA 90263
1 MacArthur Place, Suite 200, Santa Ana, CA 92707
600 Anton Boulevard, Suite 900, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
2030 Main Street, Suite 1300, Irvine, CA 92614
4350 Von Karman Ave, 4th FL, Newport Beach, CA 92660
1300 Bristol St. N., Suite 100, Newport Beach, CA 92660
1055 West 7th Street, 33rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017
20955 Pathfinder Road, Suite 100, Diamond Bar, CA 91765
PO Box 3313, Granada Hills, CA 91394
PO Box 48011, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
24811 Alicia Parkway, Suite E-#351, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
3700 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 950, Los Angeles, CA 90010
Irvine Minor in Possession Information
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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 California?
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.