A charge of underage drinking, or being a minor in possession of alcohol, may not sound like a serious charge, but any criminal conviction can impact one's future career or educational options. Many employers increasingly do criminal background checks before making a hiring decision. Additionally, if you are a student, a criminal conviction for possession of alcohol can result in educational and scholarship consequences.
A minor in Missouri may be arrested for, charged with, and convicted of MIP even if he or she is not in actual possession of any alcohol at the time of the arrest. The Missouri Minor in Possession (MIP) statute expands the definition of "possession" to include "possession by consumption" (.02 BAC or above) and appearing "visibly intoxicated." The provision of Missouri's MIP law that expands the definition of "possession" to include having alcohol in one's system makes "possession by consumption" a crime in Missouri and is why the Missouri MIP statute often is called the MIP "Possession by Consumption" law.
Any minor (16-20 years old) who is found guilty of, or pleads guilty to MIP is subject to a 90-day driver's license suspension for a first offense, and a one-year revocation for a second or subsequent offense.
False Identification
In Missouri, it is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine for a person under 21 to represent by virtue of displaying a fake ID, that he or she is over 21 for the purposes of purchasing or possessing alcohol. Additionally, it constitutes a separate misdemeanor under the Liquor Control Law if the minor reproduced or altered the ID himself, punishable by up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to $1,000.
The forgery of an identity document is a separate felony in Missouri, punishable by up to seven years in prison and/or a fine of up to $5,000 (or if financial gain was made, up to the amount of that financial gain). Possession of forgery instruments also is a felony with the same prospective punishments as that of ordinary forgery.
If you, or your son or daughter, has been charged with an MIP or false ID, contact us today at (573) 355-9270 to schedule your free consultation and case review. The law office of Holder Susan Slusher Oxenhandler, LLC offers experience and expertise when defending against MIP and False Identification cases in Missouri.
