CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Juvenile Offenses
Plano Minor In Possession Of Alcohol Attorneys
Minors found in possession of alcohol are routinely cited in Plano and surrounding areas. Some are released to a parent or guardian, while others may be detained depending on the circumstances of the police contact.
If your child was cited for minor in possession of alcohol, it is important to protect their rights and preserve a clean criminal history.
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code Section 106.05 generally prohibits people under 21 from possessing an alcoholic beverage. Like many alcohol-related juvenile statutes, however, the law contains exceptions and defenses that depend heavily on the facts.
A minor may have a defense if the alcohol was possessed during employment at a licensed establishment, while in the presence of a parent, guardian, or spouse, while assisting law enforcement under immediate supervision, or if the minor never actually possessed alcohol at all.
MIP is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500, but the practical consequences often include alcohol-awareness classes, community service, and driver’s-license suspension if required programs are not timely completed.
Unlike many criminal offenses, a conviction for a single MIP offense may be eligible for expunction after the minor turns 21. Clearing the record can allow the person to legally deny the arrest and remove the event from the criminal-history record.
Even seemingly small juvenile alcohol cases can affect school, driving privileges, and future background checks. We work with families to resolve these cases efficiently and to protect a young person’s future as much as possible.
