Minor in Possession in Olathe
Consumption of Alcohol by a Minor in Johnson County
Minor in possession charges can be levied at any individual under the age of 21 in Kansas who has been arrested for any of the following:
- Attempting to purchase alcohol
- Purchasing alcohol
- Consumption of alcohol
- Possession of alcohol
Such a charge is a violation of Kansas' underage drinking laws, and can be met with stiff penalties, including up to 1 month in jail, $500 fine, 40 hours of community service, mandatory attendance in an alcohol education program, and a driver's license suspension of up to 1 year. A conviction on these charges can have serious ramifications to your child's future, including an inability to obtain gainful employment or entrance into a reputable college. If your child has been arrested for a minor in possession or consumption of alcohol charge, it is important you contact a knowledgeable Olathe criminal defense attorney who can represent them in court and protect their rights.
Olathe Attorney for Minor in Possession Charges
Any parent wants the best for their child and their child's future. A minor in possession charge for your child can seriously endanger the possibility of a good future for them, and can cause pain and hardship for the entire family. An experienced attorney can fight for your child's rights in court, by exposing any mistakes, errors, or rights violations made by the arresting officers or the prosecution. My law firm, John E. Harvell, P.A., has successfully defended many individuals in their alcohol-related criminal cases. I can build a strong defense for your child in his minor in possession case, and greatly increase the likelihood of a lessening of the charges against him, if not a complete dismissal.
Minor in Possession/Minor in Consumption of Alcohol KSA 41-727
Persons under the age of 21 can be charged in either a municipal/city court or as a juvenile in state court. It is illegal for juveniles to either possess or consume alcohol. The police have made it a practice to saturate juvenile parties on holidays frequently when college students are home from school. The police are also known to do surveillance in liquor stores or parking lots of establishments that serve alcohol.
A person convicted of a Minor in Possession or Minor in Consumption of Alcohol will be facing a 30-day suspension of the driver's license. For a second offense, it is a 60-day suspension; a third offense is a 90-day suspension of a driver's license. In addition, cities like Overland Park charge excessive probation fees and fines and those amounts can total in excess of $1,000. It used to be that these type of charges were not considered very serious but because of the way most courts are handling these matters, these issues have become much more serious in nature.
If you have been charged with a minor in possession offense, contact an Olathe criminal attorney today to discuss the details of your case.