Police throughout Washington State are targeting underage drinking. Minor in Possession charges are serious. Our MIP attorneys know the law.

Minor in Possession lawyers serving Washington State.

To some, being charged with MIP might not seem like a big deal, to others, this is the first experience a young person has ever had with the judicial system and it is scary. No matter what, it is important to take the charge seriously and have an experienced attorney handle it.

Beyond the fact that the maximum penalty is 364 days in jail and a $5,000, no one should start out their career with a criminal conviction. The job market is competitive, especially at a young age.

Whether you are graduating from high school or college, taking the next step in your life is not going to get any easier with a criminal conviction. The Law Offices of Jason Newcombe are here to discuss all of the possible consequences you may face with an MIP conviction.

Washington takes MIP cases seriously. This is the reason why the liquor control board conducts stings to catch people selling alcohol to minors and why some jurisdictions have “party” patrols. Do not automatically assume this case is simply going to go away. An experienced attorney is necessary to make sure your rights are being protected as well as your future!

Often, someone charged with an MIP is confused because they were not in actual possession of alcohol. Unfortunately for them, Washington’s interpretation of “possession” is actually quite broad. “Possession” includes simply having alcohol in your body, or if you are near a container that has alcohol in it or until recently did. This is why it is like shooting fish in a barrel for the police when they go to break up a house party full of individuals under 21 years old.

Take your MIP charge seriously and speak with an attorney at the Law Offices of Jason Newcombe to discuss your options and what we can do for you.