MIP - Minor in Possession
Charged with Minor in Possession of Alcohol in San Diego?
In San Diego, police write tickets for Minor in Possession (MIP) of Alcohol as either an infraction or a misdemeanor. Either way, there is a fine to be paid and mandatory 1 year driver's license suspension - even if you turn 21 during that year. To make matters worse, your first appearance is likely to be at the traffic court, where there will be no City Attorney with whom to negotiate your case. Your options are limited - plead guilty and pay the fine or plead not guilty and fight your case.
You Need A San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer.
Sure, you could just plead guilty and pay the fine. But as a young adult, your whole future is in front of you and a criminal conviction can have long lasting implications. And, the immediate consequences are not great either.
MIP is charged under the Business and Professions Code, BP 25662(a). If it is charged as an infraction, you will be sentenced to pay a fine of $207 and your license WILL be suspended for 1 year. You may be able to get a restricted license after 30 days, but it will be very restricted (to and from school and work) and will be available only if public transportation is not.
If your MIP is charged as a misdemeanor, it will be on your criminal record, the fine goes up to $1125 and you will be placed on probation. You, of course, still lose your license for a year. In either case, if you have a prior MIP the fines go up significantly.
These Cases Can be Beat
It's possible to get an MIP dismissed or to negotiate a plea to an infraction that does not carry license suspension. When the police write MIP tickets, they're usually writing a bunch of them at a big event. They make mistakes. Many times there are issues concerning proof of possession. Other times there are search and seizure issues. A skilled San Diego criminal defense attorney can spot those issues and leverage them to your advantage.
If you have been charged as a Minor in Possession of Alcohol in San Diego County, Contact the Law Office of Kevin K. Denton to schedule your free, in-person case evaluation. We will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your case.
In San Diego, police write tickets for Minor in Possession (MIP) of Alcohol as either an infraction or a misdemeanor. Either way, there is a fine to be paid and mandatory 1 year driver's license suspension - even if you turn 21 during that year. To make matters worse, your first appearance is likely to be at the traffic court, where there will be no City Attorney with whom to negotiate your case. Your options are limited - plead guilty and pay the fine or plead not guilty and fight your case.
You Need A San Diego Criminal Defense Lawyer.
Sure, you could just plead guilty and pay the fine. But as a young adult, your whole future is in front of you and a criminal conviction can have long lasting implications. And, the immediate consequences are not great either.
MIP is charged under the Business and Professions Code, BP 25662(a). If it is charged as an infraction, you will be sentenced to pay a fine of $207 and your license WILL be suspended for 1 year. You may be able to get a restricted license after 30 days, but it will be very restricted (to and from school and work) and will be available only if public transportation is not.
If your MIP is charged as a misdemeanor, it will be on your criminal record, the fine goes up to $1125 and you will be placed on probation. You, of course, still lose your license for a year. In either case, if you have a prior MIP the fines go up significantly.
These Cases Can be Beat
It's possible to get an MIP dismissed or to negotiate a plea to an infraction that does not carry license suspension. When the police write MIP tickets, they're usually writing a bunch of them at a big event. They make mistakes. Many times there are issues concerning proof of possession. Other times there are search and seizure issues. A skilled San Diego criminal defense attorney can spot those issues and leverage them to your advantage.
If you have been charged as a Minor in Possession of Alcohol in San Diego County, Contact the Law Office of Kevin K. Denton to schedule your free, in-person case evaluation. We will fight to get you the best possible outcome in your case.