Minor in Possession of Alcohol

Minor in Possession of Alcohol Defense

In Rhode Island, anyone under 21 who possesses, purchases, or consumes alcohol can face criminal charges, including fines and a license suspension. There are exceptions, such as alcohol given by a parent, possession for religious reasons, or transporting alcohol for a parent or for work.

Quick answer: A minor caught with alcohol in Rhode Island faces criminal charges that can include fines and a license suspension. Sharing the alcohol with underage friends brings harsher consequences, and using a fake ID to buy it can add fines, more suspension time, and community service. A driver under 21 can be charged with DUI at a blood alcohol content of just .02, which can mean years of license suspension, hundreds or thousands in fines and fees, and even jail. Rhode Island law recognizes exceptions, including alcohol provided by a parent, religious use, and transporting alcohol for a parent or for work, and charges can be dropped if one applies. The Law Offices of Chad F. Bank offers free consultations at 401-573-2265.

Americans under the age of 21 are not allowed to possess alcohol. In Rhode Island minors also can’t purchase or consume alcohol. Fake IDs and DUIs will further complicate legal issues. Are you a minor that was caught with alcohol? Is your child facing minor in possession of alcohol charges? The Law Offices of Chad F. Bank can help. Chad has over ten years’ experience helping Rhode Island defendants. We all made mistakes during our youth. Don’t let your child’s mistake ruin his life.

Rhode Island Law

If a minor in possession of alcohol is arrested by police, he faces criminal charges. These charges may include fines and a license suspension. If the minor shared their alcohol with underage friends, the consequences are harsher. What if a fake ID was used to purchase alcohol? This could add to fines, license suspension time and even add community service to the penalties.

What if the minor was driving after the consumption of alcohol? Minors charged with DUI only need a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .02 or higher. If a DUI is added to minor in possession of alcohol charges, contact an attorney immediately. DUI charges carry stiff penalization. You could have your license suspended for years, pay hundreds or thousands in fines and fees and even go to jail.

Defenses

Experienced attorneys know how charges can be reduced or dropped. In order to know the best defense for your case, you will have to schedule a consultation. Our office offers free initial consultations, making it easy to get the information you need. There are some common defense strategies.

A minor in possession of alcohol is not always breaking the law. Rhode Island understands there might be a legitimate explanation. If you gave it to your child, they can legally consume it. Minors can possess and consume alcohol for religious reasons. Underage persons may also possess alcohol when transporting it for a parent or for work. If we can prove your minor in possession of alcohol falls into one of these categories, he could have all charges dropped.

There are also often mistakes made during the arrest and processing of minors. Attorney Chad Bank will carefully examine the minor’s case. Any mistakes will be found. Any evidence proved unlawful will not be used in court. This is a powerful method in getting charges reduced or dropped.

Call Us Today

When facing a judge, it is important to have proper legal help. The sooner you call, the quicker we can start on your case. Attorney Chad Bank will provide you with legal advice to prevent you from damaging the defense. Get the facts and protect your rights. Call 401-573-2265 for your free consultation. Chad is always available to accept calls. Don’t hesitate. Find out how we can help your case.