any lawyers here?

[lmcintyre]

.

[CanadaRAM]

First advice: Don't ask for legal advice on the Internet.
Second: If you are being shafted, contact a local lawyer
Third: If you were inebriated and you did blow over the limit, what's your beef?
Fourth: Don't try to keep this a secret from the parental unit(s).

[it5five]

Advice: Stop underage drinking.

I hate when people knowingly break the law, get caught, and try to weasel their way out of it. I hope they send the citation home, and I hope you get in trouble.

[fotografica]

If you're 16 and failed a breathalyzer,not much recourse there..

[lmcintyre]

.

[shecky]

my advice? don't drop the soap in the shower. tho you would be getting exactly what you deserve.

[Rodimus Prime]

umm the "parental units" know already. And yea i know that I broke the law. My question was about how the system works and what will happen next.

Thanks for being my mom and slapping me on the had though

depends on the local laws. In Texas if you are under 21 and blow anything they will yank you DL for a while, give you a nice fine to pay, Community service and normally have to take an alcohol awareness class.

Of that list it is a safe bet that you will have a nice expensive fine to pay the city, have to take the class and more than like have at least 20 hours of community service to do. Also you DL will be under threat. If I remember the laws in Texas correct if you are under 18 when it happens you loose you DL until you are 18.

[CanadaRAM]

umm the "parental units" know already. And yea i know that I broke the law. My question was about how the system works and what will happen next.

Thanks for being my mom and slapping me on the hand though

Five: When posting a question, ask the real question you want the answer to.

- like "how does the system work and what will happen next? " -- and tell us what system you live in

Otherwise if you ask an open ended question with no context people will have to make assumptions about what you are asking and what your motivations are. Don't be shocked when they assume the worst.

A call to the courthouse, police station, sherrif's office or Community Legal Services - depending on what's appropriate for your community - will get you the factual information about what the process is. It may even be on your local governmental website.

As far as what is your best option: I think the consensus here is take your medicine without protest, recognize you made a mistake (and say so when asked, esp. by a judge) and then get on with life.

[it5five]

umm the "parental units" know already. And yea i know that I broke the law. My question was about how the system works and what will happen next.

Thanks for being my mom and slapping me on the hand though

Aren't you so cool. :rolleyes:

Next time ask the question you intend people to answer.

[fotografica]

Six.... Strap it on,act like you got a pair and take it like a man. It builds character. And don't lie to the parental unit.Nothing good ever comes of that ;)

[sturigdson]

Seven:
Ride it out, grow, learn something from it. Seriously.

I had something like this come up at about your age. In the end, I discovered I had to actually make some choices, get some responsibility for myself. You'll be much better off if you take what comes, really consider your part in it, and become a better person because of it.

[adk]

It's just an MIP, relax. If your parents know about it already the worst of it is over. I don't know what your location is but I've never heard of a state where MIP is more than a simple forfeiture. My only legal advice is to start saving your money, you'll have a fine to pay off pretty soon. Since you're only 16, it's really not a big deal. It should be expunged from your record when you turn 18.

[BigPrince]

It's just an MIP, relax. If your parents know about it already the worst of it is over. I don't know what your location is but I've never heard of a state where MIP is more than a simple forfeiture. My only legal advice is to start saving your money, you'll have a fine to pay off pretty soon. Since you're only 16, it's really not a big deal. It should be expunged from your record when you turn 18.

Can someone explain what "expunged" means? Does it mean DELETED from everyones view or just most peoples view.

IE. Someone wants a government job, does the government see the expunged charge or not.

[swiftaw]

Can someone explain what "expunged" means? Does it mean DELETED from everyones view or just most peoples view.

IE. Someone wants a government job, does the government see the expunged charge or not.

My guess, Expunged technically means deleted forever, but I would imagine that certain groups would have access to expunged records.

[macdaddy121]

Well, I have a weird feeling that your parents don't actually know and that you are trying to hide it from them, and that's why you are online trying to figure out what will happen next; but I really don't care enough to go into anymore detail.

If they said they would mail a citation home then wait by the mailbox and read it when you get it. I'm pretty sure it will tell you what to do. But before you go online and ask for an online lawyer :rolleyes: maybe you should call your local authorities and ask them, do some other research online, or maybe you could have asked the cop last night.

However, why are you looking for a lawyer? The title says that you are and I'm wondering if you believe they did something wrong or if you have an "out" for the situation....like they caught you on your buddies front lawn but your shoes were inside so technically you were inside....

[jessica.]

Your attitude alone about your situation that you put yourself in makes me hope that you lose something from this whether it be time with your friends, your freedom, your license, or something that will sting when it's taken away.

And you're welcome for us being your mom and slapping you on the hand. Clearly you need some direction if you're drinking at 16 in the US.

Keywords: you, yourself, your

See the trend?

[BigPrince]

Your attitude alone about your situation that you put yourself in makes me hope that you lose something from this whether it be time with your friends, your freedom, your license, or something that will sting when it's taken away.

And you're welcome for us being your mom and slapping you on the hand. Clearly you need some direction if you're drinking at 16 in the US.

Keywords: you, yourself, your

See the trend?

/owned

[adk]

Can someone explain what "expunged" means? Does it mean DELETED from everyones view or just most peoples view.

IE. Someone wants a government job, does the government see the expunged charge or not.

I have no idea if it's completely, totally wiped off of the face of the earth or not (my guess would be no), but I can tell you that I had to undergo an FBI background check for a job and a certain, ahem, mistake I made at age 16 wasn't on it.

And you're welcome for us being your mom and slapping you on the hand. Clearly you need some direction if you're drinking at 16 in the US.

You're joking, right? Surely you don't think all 16 year olds sit around campfires and sing kumbayah? So long as this kid wasn't driving under the influence I really see no fault with breaking the highest drinking age in the world.

[pseudobrit]

Thanks for being my mom and slapping me on the hand though

You should be thankful you didn't get hauled into the local PD. Sounds like the law are the ones slapping you on the hand.

[Winterfell]

In the U.S. you're old enough to go to war, but not old enough to drink alcohol. Oh what a forward-thinking nation in which we live. :rolleyes:

[halfprep455]

One of my firends got a citation last year and they were 16. They got a $200 fine and had to go to an alcohol awareness class. They even got to miss school to go to it! Im not sure what they will do in Texas but thats what they di in maryland. It shouldn't be a whole lot diffrent though. BTW, be more carefull next time. How did you get caught anyways?

[Bill Gates]

One of my firends got a citation last year and they were 16. They got a $200 fine and had to go to an alcohol awareness class. They even got to miss school to go to it! Im not sure what they will do in Texas but thats what they di in maryland. It shouldn't be a whole lot diffrent though. BTW, be more carefull next time. How did you get caught anyways?
Be more careful next time? How about "Don't drink at age 16." If you're going to drink underage, don't do it while you're living under the same roof as your parents.

[richard4339]

In the U.S. you're old enough to go to war, but not old enough to drink alcohol. Oh what a forward-thinking nation in which we live. :rolleyes:

Not exactly. He's 16, which means he's not quite to the fightin' age yet.

To the OP: be glad. In Tennessee, a DUA (Drinking Under Age) is fairly serious (of course, we're the only state to still have a rape law, not a sexual assault law too). Here, you'd be looking at a court date and at least 48 hours in jail. That's on top of losing your license until you're 18.

What makes our fine state even more fun is that no proof is required for a DUA conviction. IE: If you're 16 and get pulled over by a police officer, he can throw your ass in jail for a DUA without ever doing a blood test or giving you a breathalizer. And, when you get to court, since you have no blood test or breathalizer to proove otherwise, the judge typically will believe the police officer over you and congratulations! You've just been convicted!

[ErikCLDR]

Dude, that really sucks. As a fellow 16 year old, I know what goes on. No most of us do not sit around the campfire and sing kumbaya and the fire is not the only thing smoking. Nor do we go to the beach and sing sea shanties. Beach towels are not the only rolled items either. (although I personally don't drink, I don't even like juice, nor do I smoke)

The laws in Connecticut are pretty strict. I believe your license is suspended for 90 automatically, and then a judge can (and will) suspend it for an additional amount of time. You are also fined $500 or more. It all depends on how much you were intoxicated.

Basically man, you're f***ed. There isn't' much you can do.

I'm not going to be like everyone else thats slapping you. You messed up, you know you put peoples lives in danger, and I am sure you probably won't do it again after what you have faced already.

[TheDance511]

dont worry man... i knwo it mmight seem scary...just ride it out...bit down because you are at their mercy now....im 18 and i have no problem with drinking or drugs....i think tis a persons choice and not up to some government to tell me what ican and can not put into my body despite the results of it... **** em all... at any rate...god luck let su know what happens please iwanna know....

[macdaddy121]

dont worry man... i knwo it mmight seem scary...just ride it out...bit down because you are at their mercy now....im 18 and i have no problem with drinking or drugs....i think tis a persons choice and not up to some government to tell me what ican and can not put into my body despite the results of it... **** em all... at any rate...god luck let su know what happens please iwanna know....

It shows. Do you believe the government can tell you how fast to go on the highway or what to pay in taxes? Your decisions affect all of the people around you and that is why there are laws about this sort of thing. These laws are in place for good reason. Now wether you believe they are too strict is another story but there should be some laws to govern people dumb enough to lose brain cells and stumble around intoxicated.

[cycocelica]

When my buddy got an MIP (it was his second), he just had to pay a fine and go to an alcohol awareness class. This is for the state of Washington, so I don't know about others. Personally I would be more afraid of what my parents would do than what the law would do.

As someone who drinks underage (20), I would have never started drinking in highschool. Get done with school and graduate and go off to college and start drinking there if you want to. My friend who drank in high school are now living with their parents still.

[patrick0brien]

I need some advice, I got an underage yesterday and I want to know what to do next, and what my best option would be. I am 16 and I blew a .068 They said they would mail a citation home. Any help/ advice at all would be apricated.

Thank allot

-lmcintyre

Own up (which it appears you've done), take this lesson seriously, and treat the Judge with respect!

[lmcintyre]

.

[Sun Baked]

If you got it in a car or at a loud party, stop going to them.

Basically stop going to parties likely to be raided by the fuzz.

---

Bone up and act like a grown up alcoholic, and hide your drinking problem. :p

[adk]

yea, some people completely misconstrued the situation. MY PARENTS KNOW and I am not trying to hide anything. And no I dont "need guidance" I have never done any other illegal drugs or crimes in my life. Your just being naive if you think that people under 21 dont drink. Weird that in france and Germany kids can drink (and Canada at 19). Anyway thanks to everyone who wasnt a douche about it

To the OP (you) - would you please tell us what state you live in? That will be much more helpful (for you and everybody else) than anything that's been written here so far.

[FJ218700]

Just be smart, don't screw up again, and don't worry about your permanent record. If the FBI had accress to my juvenile records, I would not have my current job.

[TheDance511]

It shows. Do you believe the government can tell you how fast to go on the highway or what to pay in taxes? Your decisions affect all of the people around you and that is why there are laws about this sort of thing. These laws are in place for good reason. Now wether you believe they are too strict is another story but there should be some laws to govern people dumb enough to lose brain cells and stumble around intoxicated.

im all for fairness and what not...just to say that...But as far as alcohol goes... We saw what happened with prohibition...The use just went up even more because moeny could be made off of selling it...At any rate if thats matters or not...I don't think the government should tell me how fast i go on the highway..because i helped pay for that highway...I dont htink anyone should be able to tell me how much i can drink..if iwanna drink a bottle of vodka i want to.. and if iwanna drive while doing it then dammit i should...(I dont know how that sounds) now i dont agree with it..im jsut sayign it should be that way...I think the government has way too much control over stuff...I mean latley it seems like the government is mroe doing what they want than what the people want..i mean just look whats going on in the world right now... anyway..no.. i wanna drive 100 miles per hour...i love my country...but please...its just a drink...and marijuana is just a plant...and its my body..and if i wanna smoke and drink all day till im stupid i think its none of their damn bussiness...they would just find something else to take anyway if it were liek that

[BigPrince]

snip

You can smoke and drink all day in the privacy of your own home...Just don't do anything to bring attention to yourself(screaming/playing excessivly loud music/urinating in the streets) and you'll be fine.

Its only when you become a hazard to someone else is when the cops get involved. (IE. Selling drugs or being a whore house)

You come off as very selfish when you claim the government should not get involved if you wanna "drink a bottle a vodka and drive damnit." Well, sadly you become a public hazard to others on the road. I could careless if you wrap yourself around a tree, but I do care if you end up hitting a innocent kid playing in his hard that you just drove into while intoxicated.

The government couldn't careless about your safty, its everyone elses safty they are concerned about and thats why they need to regulate society.

[it5five]

im all for fairness and what not...just to say that...But as far as alcohol goes... We saw what happened with prohibition...The use just went up even more because moeny could be made off of selling it...At any rate if thats matters or not...I don't think the government should tell me how fast i go on the highway..because i helped pay for that highway...I dont htink anyone should be able to tell me how much i can drink..if iwanna drink a bottle of vodka i want to.. and if iwanna drive while doing it then dammit i should...(I dont know how that sounds) now i dont agree with it..im jsut sayign it should be that way...I think the government has way too much control over stuff...I mean latley it seems like the government is mroe doing what they want than what the people want..i mean just look whats going on in the world right now... anyway..no.. i wanna drive 100 miles per hour...i love my country...but please...its just a drink...and marijuana is just a plant...and its my body..and if i wanna smoke and drink all day till im stupid i think its none of their damn bussiness...they would just find something else to take anyway if it were liek that

If you drink a bottle of vodka then go driving I would hope you run into a brick wall and kill yourself. I'm not joking. People who drink and drive are almost the worst kind of people in society.

[TheDance511]

If you drink a bottle of vodka then go driving I would hope you run into a brick wall and kill yourself. I'm not joking. People who drink and drive are almost the worst kind of people in society.

see now thats what i mean.....why doesnt anyone care about the creep that was drinking the vodka.... at any rate... ALL im saying is there are too many restrictions on this drinking/drug issue

[CanadaRAM]

see now thats what i mean.....why doesnt anyone care about the creep that was drinking the vodka.... at any rate... ALL im saying is there are too many restrictions on this drinking/drug issue

and too few restrictions on bad punctuation :rolleyes:

[savar]

I need some advice, I got an underage yesterday and I want to know what to do next, and what my best option would be. I am 16 and I blew a .068 They said they would mail a citation home. Any help/ advice at all would be apricated.

Thank allot

Here's what to do: lawyer up. You're clearly going to get in trouble, since most states take underage drinking pretty seriously, but .068 isn't that high and you shouldn't get crucified.

A lawyer will be fairly expensive ($1-2k retainer in most places), but an experienced lawyer will a) probably know the judge, and b) arrange to expunge this incident from your record.

You'll end up paying some fines, apologizing to a judge, etc., but keeping it off your record is good when you apply to colleges, jobs, etc.

[savar]

Your attitude alone about your situation that you put yourself in makes me hope that you lose something from this whether it be time with your friends, your freedom, your license, or something that will sting when it's taken away.

And you're welcome for us being your mom and slapping you on the hand. Clearly you need some direction if you're drinking at 16 in the US.

Keywords: you, yourself, your

See the trend?

Wow. Do you have any idea how many people drink before they're 16 in this country? Do drugs? Have sex? Drinking itself isn't terrible. I think you admit as much when you qualify your last sentence with "in the US," as if its okay to drink at 16 in other places in the world, but here it's immoral because our puritanical legal system enjoins that behavior.

If I could achieve one thing in my life, it would be to teach people the difference between legality and morality. Not wearing your seatbelt in the car is illegal (in most places) but it's not immoral. Having sex with your best friends girlfriend behind his back is immoral but not illegal. Please, everybody, accept this basic fact of society.

This kid was doing kid stuff, and got busted. This will be a good experience for him to learn something about the nature of the law, and what it means to be a citizen. He didn't harm anybody else, and we all know that the reaction from his parents is going to be far worse than the reaction from the law. It's a .068 by the way...That's about four beers in 2 hours.

[it5five]

see now thats what i mean.....why doesnt anyone care about the creep that was drinking the vodka.... at any rate... ALL im saying is there are too many restrictions on this drinking/drug issue

Why should I care about the "creep" that drank a bottle of Vodka and killed himself? Maybe I don't understand what you're trying to say.

Maybe you should stop doing so many drugs and work on your composition and punctuation skills.