NittanySenior
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania
Last weekend, I received a citation for underage drinking at a tailgate before a Penn State football game. I was drinking my second beer over the course of 4 hours, and my BAC was almost non existant. I would like to take the course offered in Pennsylvania that allows a juvenile to pay a fine and take a 16 hour course that expunges any record of the citation. However, I was issued another citation last spring of which I was found not guilty and completely acquitted when the officer did not show up for the hearing, but just because it was ever filed I am unable to take the course.
It has been 10 days since the citation and I need to turn it in tomorrow morning. I don't know what to do as I do not want to plead guilty as I will face the consequences of a 2nd citation and immediately lose my license and pay several hundred dollars in fines. I am debating as to whether I should enter a plea of not guilty and go to a hearing, but I'm not sure -
if I enter a plea of not guilty and am found guilty in a hearing, will I face more severe penalties than if I had just entered a plea of guilty in the first place?
Also, if I plead not guilty and argue my case at a hearing, do you think I would have a chance of receiving a reduced or dropped citation based on the following facts:
- I am 3 weeks away from turning 21 years old.
- I was very cooperative with the officer.
- I was entirely sober and drinking my first beer of hours.
- It is arguable that there was not reasonable cause to ask me for ID as I was drinking out of a red cup and not a can, and there were several other underagers drinking at the tailgate who were not asked for ID.
- I cannot afford to lose my license as I drive home on the weekends and drive to work during the week.
Any advice that you could provide ASAP would be tremendously appreciated as I need to turn in my citation tomorrow morning. I am terrified of losing my license and of having this show up on my record when I apply for jobs in the spring. Thanks a ton for your help.
Last weekend, I received a citation for underage drinking at a tailgate before a Penn State football game. I was drinking my second beer over the course of 4 hours, and my BAC was almost non existant. I would like to take the course offered in Pennsylvania that allows a juvenile to pay a fine and take a 16 hour course that expunges any record of the citation. However, I was issued another citation last spring of which I was found not guilty and completely acquitted when the officer did not show up for the hearing, but just because it was ever filed I am unable to take the course.
It has been 10 days since the citation and I need to turn it in tomorrow morning. I don't know what to do as I do not want to plead guilty as I will face the consequences of a 2nd citation and immediately lose my license and pay several hundred dollars in fines. I am debating as to whether I should enter a plea of not guilty and go to a hearing, but I'm not sure -
if I enter a plea of not guilty and am found guilty in a hearing, will I face more severe penalties than if I had just entered a plea of guilty in the first place?
Also, if I plead not guilty and argue my case at a hearing, do you think I would have a chance of receiving a reduced or dropped citation based on the following facts:
- I am 3 weeks away from turning 21 years old.
- I was very cooperative with the officer.
- I was entirely sober and drinking my first beer of hours.
- It is arguable that there was not reasonable cause to ask me for ID as I was drinking out of a red cup and not a can, and there were several other underagers drinking at the tailgate who were not asked for ID.
- I cannot afford to lose my license as I drive home on the weekends and drive to work during the week.
Any advice that you could provide ASAP would be tremendously appreciated as I need to turn in my citation tomorrow morning. I am terrified of losing my license and of having this show up on my record when I apply for jobs in the spring. Thanks a ton for your help.