possesion of alcohol

[elong]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania

I am 18 years old and I got caught in a stupid situation. Especially from the eyes of a policeman. Me and a few friends had pulled a cooler out of the car and had placed ice, 15 beers, and a bottle of liquor. We were in a rough spot in pennsylvania. None of us had anything to drink yet. We were about to wheel the cooler inside when we saw a pair of headlights far off in the distance. Someone said cop. I didn't think it was actually a cop so jokingly i decided to stand behind a nearby van. Well it was a cop and came straight to me and said< "now why does it look to me like your trying to hide.

This was followed by me being searched, and asked numerous questions. I was already in trouble and took the fall for the cooler and its contents. I was cuffed and put in the cop car and they called my parents. I was given a non-traffic citation/summons. Under nature of offense it reads "def. under the age of 21 did knowingly possess cans of miller light beer and liquor. I was cited for section 6308, subsection a. I am not concerned with the fines or the loss of licence. i am a little freaked out that i will be put on probation. I had plans of leaving the area and it would be extremely detrimental if i had to stay in york.

Is it possible that i could be placed on probation?
Will i have to appear in court?

thanks-elong

[FlyingRon]

What do you mean by "leave the area?" You mean permanently, or on trips.
If you're in good standing the probation officer will probably let you travel. The standard probation terms I think provide for roaming up to 50 miles without asking.

[elong]

no i was planning on moving to europe for a year so it wouldnt just be traveling, probation wasn't listed as one of the punishments, im just freaked out that they could possibly do it anyways.

PURCHASE, CONSUMPTION, POSSESSION OR TRANSPORTATION OF LIQUOR OR MALT OR BREWED BEVERAGES BY A MINOR
Section 6308 of the Pennsylvania Crimes Code (Title 18)
A person commits a summary offense if he/she, being less than 21 years of age, attempts to purchase, purchases, consumes, possesses or knowingly and intentionally transports any liquor or malt or brewed beverages.

Penalty 1st Offense 2nd Offense Subsequent
Offenses
Fine 0-$300 0-$500 0-$500
Jail 0-90 days 0-90 days 0-90 days
License Suspension 90 days 1 year 2 years

[elong]

if anyone has gotten a possesion of alcohol charge like mine in pennsylvania i would love to hear about how everything turned out

[Curt581]

The judge doesn't HAVE to place you on probation. You could always ask judge for a few days of jail time instead of more lengthy probation time.

[elong]

but probation is definitely possible even though the stated punishment for the crime is only listed as

Penalty 1st Offense 2nd Offense Subsequent
Offenses
Fine 0-$300 0-$500 0-$500
Jail 0-90 days 0-90 days 0-90 days
License Suspension 90 days 1 year 2 years