Underage Civil Citation

[jcroft]

What is the name of your state? MD

Hi all,
I was at a house party last night that was busted by the police. I would estimate there were approximately 50 under 21 people there; I am 20. All were breathalyzed and issued citations. I was in the basement when the police entered so I did not see how they entered the house. My citation reads “possession of alcohol under 21 years of age to wit alcohol at a under age drinking party. Subject was around alcohol which was throughout the room.”

I blew a .095. The statement on the citation is accurate.

Any advice on how I should handle this? Do I need an attorney or should we hire an attorney as a group?

Thank you in advance,

JC

 

[JETX]

Any advice on how I should handle this?

Based solely on your post... guilty sounds appropriate.

Do I need an attorney or should we hire an attorney as a group?

No such thing as 'group legal representation' in a criminal matter. Conflict.
Though I always recommend legal representation in criminal cases, sounds like there isn't much (other than possible plea-down) that an attorney can do in this case. Guilty as hell.

 

[seniorjudge]

Standard answer

Here are some hints on appearing in court:

Dress professionally in clean clothes.

Do not wear message shirts or caps.

Don't chew gum, smoke, or eat. (Smokers...pot or tobacco...literally stink. Remember that before you head for court.)

Bathe and wash your hair.

Do not bring small children or your friends.

Go to court beforehand some day before you actually have to go to watch how things go.

Speak politely and deferentially. If you argue or dispute something, do it professionally and without emotion.

Ask the court clerk who you talk to about a diversion (meaning you want to plead to a different, lesser charge), if applicable in your situation. Ask about traffic school and that the ticket not go on your record, if applicable. Ask also about getting a hardship driving permit, if applicable. Ask about drug court, if applicable.

From marbol:

“Judge...

You forgot the one thing that I've seen that seems to frizz up most judges these days:

If you have a cell phone, make DAMN SURE that it doesn't make ANY noise in the courtroom. This means when you are talking to the judge AND when you are simply sitting in the court room.

If you have a ‘vibrate’ position on your cell phone, MAKE sure the judge DOESN'T EVEN HEAR IT VIBRATE!

Turn it off or put it in silent mode where it flashes a LED if it rings. AND DON'T even DREAM about answering it if it rings.”

(Better yet, don’t carry your cell phone into the courtroom.)”


Here are seven stories that criminal court judges hear the most (and I suggest you do not use them or variations of them):

1. I’ve been saved! (This is not religion specific; folks from all kinds of religious backgrounds use this one.)

2. My girlfriend/mother/sister/daughter/wife/ex-wife/niece/grandma/grand-daughter is pregnant/sick/dying/dead/crippled/crazy and needs my help.

3. I’ve got a job/military posting in [name a place five hundred miles away].

4. This is the first time I ever did this. (This conflicts with number 5 below, but that hasn’t stopped some defendants from using both.)

5. You’ve got the wrong guy. (A variation of this one is the phantom defendant story: “It wasn’t me driving, it was a hitchhiker I picked up. He wrecked the car, drug me behind the wheel then took off.” Or, another variation: “I was forced into it by a bad guy!”)

6. I was influenced by a bad crowd.

7. I/my kid/my whatever has surgery scheduled.


https://forum.freeadvice.com/showthread.php?p=854687#post854687

Public defender’s advice

http://newyork.craigslist.org/about/best/sfo/70300494.html


Other people may give you other advice; stand by.

 

[jcroft]

No such thing as 'group legal representation' in a criminal matter.

My citation reads "uniform civil citation."