While it is understandable that you may think that a minor in possession is “no big deal” as it relates to a minor and not an adult, we must tell you that this is not the case. A Minor in possession charge or MIP is a serious offense and requires an expert Minor in possession Law Firm Fargo ND to mount a strong defense.
Having a minor in possession charge on your permanent record can have a devastating impact on your adult life. People might see that blot on your record and think they are dealing with an irresponsible person, rather than someone who made a misstep in their youth. To avoid these troubles in the future, you should hire one of our Minor in possession Lawyers Fargo ND at Ward K Johnson. We can help you fight your minor in possession charges and avoid all the penalties you may face- in the present and the future.
What are the penalties for MIP charges?
There are several potential consequences you may face with a minor in possession charge:
- Heavy fines- If you are facing a MIP charge, you might be looking at paying heavy fines. These fines are designed to discourage minors from possessing alcohol or other substances in the future, but they can be cumbersome. The amount of fines due by you will also increase if you have more than one conviction to your name. Our Minor in Possession Law Firm Fargo ND understands that this can be an undue burden on you and your family, so we fight to put up the best case for you so that you can face a lower fine as a penalty even if we cannot get your case dismissed.
- Community service and diversion programs- A minor charged with a MIP can receive a penalty of several hours of community service. Sometimes, courts can prescribe that these hours be completed at an alcohol or drug treatment center or at a coroner’s office. You could also be mandated to attend supervised counseling in the form of diversion programs and youthful drunk driver programs. These hours can be increased if you have been convicted more than once. Getting off with community service or diversion programs can be a great boon, however, the best outcome would be to have your charges dismissed as fulfilling these hours may mean missing out on school or work. You should speak to one of our Minor in possession Lawyers Fargo ND to better understand what community service can entail.
- Driver’s licenses- An MIP charge might lead to your driver’s license being suspended for a period of time stipulated by the court. If you are a minor below the driving age, you could also find that your eligibility to apply and obtain a license may be pushed. However, there are some exceptions to this consequence. You may be allowed to drive in some limited circumstances where you need to get to school or work, provided that public transport is not reasonably available and there is a financial need for you to work. You may also be allowed to drive to take family members who are ill to medical appointments. Our Minor in Possession Lawyers Fargo ND will be able to help you argue for any of these exceptions should you have the need for them.
If you are under 18 years of age, you must understand that your case will proceed through the juvenile court system. This means that you will go through a juvenile adjudication hearing instead of a regular trial by jury. However, this also means that our Minor in possession Law Firm Fargo ND could get your records sealed, so that they may not affect your future adversely.
To know more about the penalties you may face in MIP proceedings, meet with one of our lawyers at Ward K Johnson today!
This article is intended for informational purposes and is not to be substituted for legal advice.