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Minor in Possession of Alcohol
As the name implies, the charge of minor in possession of alcohol can occur if a police officer has proof that a person under the age of 21, in most areas, has consumed alcohol or has possession of alcohol. This age can vary from state to state and as a misdemeanor each state sets its own fines and definitions of the charge.
Minor In Possession Of Alcohol Penalties
Since minors are the only individuals that can be found guilty of the minor in possession of alcohol charges, the first time penalties tend to be more focused on education and correction rather than severe punishment. Subsequent charges will have progressively harsher penalties.
Possible Penalties
- Fines of up to $500
- Suspension of driver's license
- Mandatory alcohol and drug awareness classes
- Probation
- Community service
Are you looking for help to Drop a Possession of Alcohol charge or Reduce a sentence? Submit your case for FREE to a Qualified Criminal Attorney in your area.
Minor In Possession Of Alcohol Sentencing
In most situations with a charge of a minor in possession of alcohol the judge will want to make a significant impact on the individuals understanding of the consequences of alcohol consumption. As such community service and mandatory classes are almost always included in the sentence, as is probation rather than jail time, especially for first offenses. Attorneys can work with the individual to ensure they get the lowest possible sentence but also become aware of the significance of the charge. In repeat charges the judge may impose jail time and may increase the fines, community service hours as well as revoke the driver's license until age 21.
Minor in Possession of Alcohol: Fines and Jail by State
Penalties Vary Greatly by Case! This is a compilation of available data. Assume it is wrong, and talk to the court clerk or an attorney.
| State | Avg. Fines | Avg. Jail | Avg. Probation | Other |
| Alabama | 5000 | 6 months suspended 1st time | 5 years | CS, SL, AA |
| Alaska | $200-$1000 | Varies Widely by Case | One year or 21 years of age, whichever is later | Alcohol information school, revokation of driver's license for up to 6 months, up to 96 hours of community service |
| Arizona | 200-5000 max | suspended 6 months 1st offense | 5 years | CA, AA, SL, A education class |
| Arkansas | up to $500 | Could not find jail time | up to 1 year | Judge may order community service, suspension of license and may make minor write an essay. |
| California | 200- 5000 | suspended 6 months 1st offense | 5 years | CA, AA, A education classes, SL |
| Colorado | up to $250 | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | license revocation, community service |
| Connecticut | first offense, have committed an infraction and for any subsequent offense, be fined not less than two hundred dollars or more than five hundred dollars. | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Delaware | 250 | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | community service / rehabilitation programs /1 year license suspension |
| Florida | 5.000 max | 6 month suspended | 5 years | CS, AA |
| Georgia | up to $250 | Can be subject to 30 days | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Hawaii | 250 | one year | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Idaho | up to $500 | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | and/or license suspension |
| Illinois | up to $100000 | min 1 year-20 | 5 years | CS, SL, DC, AA |
| Indiana | 0-500.00 | up to 60 days | up to one year | and in certain cases, two years of probation is authorized |
| Iowa | up to $500 | Varies Widely by Case | 5 yeasr | 40 hours of CS plus AA |
| Kansas | Up to $500 | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | 40 hours of community service, educational program about effects of alcohol |
| Kentucky | up to $250 | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | 12 month license suspension, community service |
| Louisiana | up to $100 | up to 6 months | up to 6 months | Judge may order community service. |
| Maine | 1st Offense $200 to $400 2nd Offense $300 to $600 3rd or Subsequent Offenses $600 | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Maryland | Light charge of fines | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | Will subject to criminal sanctions |
| Massachusetts | $1000-$2000 | 90 days - 3 years | 3 - 5 years | Not Available |
| Michigan | $100-$500 | 30-93 days | Upto 3 months | Substance Abuse Services, community service, substance abuse screening and assessment at his or her own expense |
| Minnesota | Up to $3000 | Up to 1 year. | up to 3 years | Considered a Gross Misdemeanor |
| Mississippi | Up to $100 Fine and Up to $200 Fine if False Statement is Made | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Missouri | up to $1000 | up to 1 year | could be 3 months | license suspension or revocation, up to 40 hours of community service |
| Montana | up to 1300 | 30 -60 days | 5 years | AA |
| Nebraska | $500 fine | up to three months imprisonment | no probation | As part of sentencing a judge may order an offender to become part of a public work detail under the supervision of the County Sheriff for not more than 10 days in lieu of the above penalties. |
| Nevada | Varies by Case | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | Juveniles arrested or cited for this offense may be subject to probation supervision, driver's license suspensions, fines, community service or work crew, and substance abuse evaluations. |
| New Hampshire | $250-$600 | Usually no jail time (at judges discretion) | up to 1 year | Judge may order community service and/or minor may lose license for 90 days to a year. |
| New Jersey | $200 to $400 | 90 days to 3 years | 3 to 14 years | Not Available |
| New Mexico | 550 | 15 years max final offense | 10 years | sl, cs, aa |
| New York | 1-1500 | Varies Widely by Case | 3 | no more then 30 hours of community service |
| North Carolina | $100 first offense | Suspended 6 months first offense | 6 years | AA,CS, SL on seond offense |
| North Dakota | 250 | up to 30 days first offense | Varies by Case | AA |
| Ohio | up to $1,000 | 6 months | at court's discretion | community service |
| Oklahoma | 300 | (30) hours | Varies by Case | guilty, upon conviction, of a misdemeanor, license shall be revoked |
| Oregon | minimum fine is $320 | not less than 30 days | 8 years | AA |
| Pennsylvania | $0-$500 | 0-90 days | Varies by Case | license suspended for 90 days to 1 year |
| Rhode Island | $150 to $750 for a first offense, $300 to $750 for a second offense, $450 to $950 for a third offense | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | 30 hours of community service and a license suspension for a minimum of 60 days |
| South Carolina | 257.5 | suspended 6 months for 1st offense | 5 years | AA, SL, and CS 40hours |
| South Dakota | up to $500 | up to 30 days | Varies by Case | Not Available |
| Tennessee | 500-2000 $ | 180 days | 30 days | Not Available |
| Texas | $250-$2,000 | ≤180 days in jail | Varies by Case | Community service 8-40 hours depending on past record. License suspension from 30-180 days based on record. |
| Utah | 5000 min | 1 year for fist offense | 7 years | SL, AA,CS and A. education Class |
| Vermont | $1000 maximum | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | Suspended license for 1 year |
| Virginia | $200 to $250 | 50 hours-12 months | 12 months | 50 hours of community service |
| Washington | 5000 | suspended 6 months | 7 years | AA |
| West Virginia | §11-16-19 an amount not to exceed five hundred dollars | incarcerated in jail for a period not to exceed seventy-two hours | for the first offense, be placed on probation for a period not to exceed one year | Not Available |
| Wisconsin | up to $1,000 | Varies Widely by Case | Varies by Case | driver's license suspension or assignment to a work program |
| Wyoming | $100-$1000.00 | 6 months-1year | 6months-1 year | drug classes |
Minor In Possession Of Alcohol Charges And Legal Help
While the charge is a misdemeanor it can impact on future career choices and educational options. Hiring an attorney in a minor in possession of alcohol charge may provide options for reducing the charge or even working on a program of treatment as opposed to a criminal charge. Since insurance and other factors can be effected by this type of charge it is essential to have legal representation.
- If you have been charged with Possession of Alcohol in a Minor, Submit Your Case for a Free Review from a skilled Criminal Defense Attorney.