Minor in possession: What kinds of penalties could be faced?

As a parent, the last thing you want to hear is that your child is in trouble with the law. However, if this happens, it’s critical that you step in to provide them with as much assistance as you can.

Minor in possession charges are every bit as serious as they sound. If you don’t have the right defense strategy in place, there’s a much greater chance of a conviction and serious consequences.

For example, first-time offender penalties typically include:

• Alcohol screening
• Alcohol treatment and rehabilitation
• Community service

However, in the event that your child has been convicted in the past, penalties are much more serious and can often include large fines, community service and even jail time.

What should you do?

It’s safe to assume that you want to put this behind you and your child as quickly as possible. For that reason, you may consider the idea of pleading guilty at the arraignment. Yes, this is the easiest and quickest approach, but it can have serious consequences on your child’s future. You don’t want to go down this path until you’re 100 percent sure that it’s your best option.

It’s often best to review the circumstances of the minor in possession charges, such as whether the officer had probable cause to arrest your child in the first place. No matter how upset you are with your child for making a poor decision, it’s not the right time to try to make a point with “tough love.” Focus on how you can help them, such as by better understanding the charges and their legal rights.