Summary: This page covers Penalties and the Impact of a Conviction.
Not always considered a juvenile crime, in the city of Aliso Viejo, and in the rest of California, a minor is someone who is under the age of 21. If a minor is caught drinking in public, purchasing alcohol, possessing alcohol or holding an opened or unopened container, then they can be charged under California Business and Professions Code Section 25662. Statistics have shown that alcohol is the most commonly used and abused drug among youth in the United States. In addition, the consequences of underage drinking are plentiful, such as the potential for alcohol-related car crashes or school and social problems.
The impact of a BP 25662 conviction can have consequences that can last for a lifetime. Some of the consequences will include the following:
There are a myriad of different legal defenses that can be used. The most common defenses include that the minor was not the actual owner of the alcohol, that they only had it on orders from someone old enough to possess it in order to deliver it, for example, or that the alcohol was discovered during an illegal search and seizure. This is defined as a search and seizure by a law enforcement officer without a search warrant or probable cause. A search warrant is an order issued that authorizes the police to conduct a search to seize any evidence of a criminal offense. The search warrant informs the person being addressed that the judge who issued the warrant has found it probable that incriminating evidence may be found.
With the penalties and impact in mind, it is critically important that a minor find the best legal criminal representation. It is highly recommend that you attempt to resolve a misdemeanor case with legal counsel. The Johnson Criminal Law Group is the law office to call today about your case.
