Massachusetts Criminal Defense Resource Page

Fighting a Minor Alcohol Possession Charge

In the summertime, arrests for minor in possession of alcohol in Massachusetts go up. This is not shocking or scandolous stuff. It's just kids being kids, being outside, having time off from school, partying, going to concerts, and having fun with their friends.

In particular, police aggressively patrol and arrest kids attending summer concert events at the Comcast Center in Mansfield, events like CountryFest at Gillette Staduim, and many other events. These cases appear in the Wrentham and Attleborro district courts regularly. 

Unfortunately, a criminal charge for a minor can end up being a serious problem. It can affect and seriously jepordize student loans, participation in sports, scholorship opportunities, and can even result in suspension or expulsion from school.

If you are a parent of a child charged with being a minor in possession of alcohol, it is absolultely worth the time to explore crimnal legal defense options.

How to Fight a Minor in Possession of Alcohol Charge

Though police across Massachusetts regularly arrest kids for this (or give them a criminal citation), that doesn't mean they have particularly strong evidence.

And there are excellent legal defense options available.

I have had very good success challenging the evidence in these cases at a clerk's hearing. It is common for there to be a dispute as to who was actually in possession of the alcohol, especially if it was in the car, or sitting in a cooler nearby a group of kids.

If the MIP charge is dealt with at a clerk magistrate's hearing, and the clerk agrees that there is insufficient probably cause to go forward with the complaint, then the arrest is voided, as if it never happened, and the person is free and clear. That's the best outcome, and often it is readily obtainable.

All cases and situations are different, so of course I can't gaurantee I can get your child's charge thrown out.

But give me a call, and I'll listen to your story, and give you my assessment of what I think might happen, and how I can help you.

Don't go to a clerk magistrate's hearing on a minor in possession of alcohol charge without a lawyer. This is absolutely your best option to make the charge go away quickly.

Give me a call for a free consultation on a  Massachusetts alcohol possession charge.