I work in Florida in the summers to finance my education and support myself, though I live in Alabama. I received an MIP in FL, ~7 hours away.
The Scenario:
After work I went to a private community hot tub (none of us lived there) to drink a beer with five co-workers (all minors). One individual left. He shortly returned along with a police officer who was coincidentally passing by the parking lot (we were being very quiet). There were four beer bottles sitting about one to three feet away from each of us. The officer asked for identification which was given. He ordered the drinks to be thrown away and asked us to follow him to his car in the parking lot where he issued four of us MIP’s (the person who was stopped in the parking lot was not charged for some reason). None of us confirmed nor denied the implication that we were drinking. The only word I said to the officer was "19" when he asked my age. Sobriety tests were not conducted. The police report I received claimed that I was in physical possession of alcohol, which is technically false - It was sitting near me.
While I am morally obligated not to plead “innocent” to this charge (because I was drinking...and court is 7 hours away), I would appreciate any advice about how I should handle this situation.
Option:
1) Pay it off (plead “no contest?”) – $250.
a. On which specific record/court system/ database will the conviction be recorded (what is the jurisdiction – is it universal)? Is it permanent? Will it ever “go away” in time?
i. I inspire to become a professional in the field of Information Technology. How significant is this minor offense when obtaining a job that requires professional licensing?
ii. What effect does an MIP have on obtaining security clearances in the future?
b. What effect does an MIP have on insurance?
c. How will this effect purchasing side arms/obtaining a concealed carry license?
2) Complete Alabama’s Deferral program - $1000 in attorney’s fees + ?
a. I live in Alabama. How probable is it that I will qualify for a local deferment/probation program.
b. What exactly does the deferment program entail? What must be done?
c. What costs are involved in addition to attorney’s fees?
3) Expunge the charge - $?
a. What does this mean?
b. How much will it cost?
c. What are its implications?
I have no civil or criminal history. I'm a sophomore in college w/ Good grades. I've been financially independent since I was 16, but college is expensive and I don't exactly need to be spending $1500+ on a misdemeanor that most employers probably won't care about. I've never taken a loan and I don't intend to.
I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration.
The Scenario:
After work I went to a private community hot tub (none of us lived there) to drink a beer with five co-workers (all minors). One individual left. He shortly returned along with a police officer who was coincidentally passing by the parking lot (we were being very quiet). There were four beer bottles sitting about one to three feet away from each of us. The officer asked for identification which was given. He ordered the drinks to be thrown away and asked us to follow him to his car in the parking lot where he issued four of us MIP’s (the person who was stopped in the parking lot was not charged for some reason). None of us confirmed nor denied the implication that we were drinking. The only word I said to the officer was "19" when he asked my age. Sobriety tests were not conducted. The police report I received claimed that I was in physical possession of alcohol, which is technically false - It was sitting near me.
While I am morally obligated not to plead “innocent” to this charge (because I was drinking...and court is 7 hours away), I would appreciate any advice about how I should handle this situation.
Option:
1) Pay it off (plead “no contest?”) – $250.
a. On which specific record/court system/ database will the conviction be recorded (what is the jurisdiction – is it universal)? Is it permanent? Will it ever “go away” in time?
i. I inspire to become a professional in the field of Information Technology. How significant is this minor offense when obtaining a job that requires professional licensing?
ii. What effect does an MIP have on obtaining security clearances in the future?
b. What effect does an MIP have on insurance?
c. How will this effect purchasing side arms/obtaining a concealed carry license?
2) Complete Alabama’s Deferral program - $1000 in attorney’s fees + ?
a. I live in Alabama. How probable is it that I will qualify for a local deferment/probation program.
b. What exactly does the deferment program entail? What must be done?
c. What costs are involved in addition to attorney’s fees?
3) Expunge the charge - $?
a. What does this mean?
b. How much will it cost?
c. What are its implications?
I have no civil or criminal history. I'm a sophomore in college w/ Good grades. I've been financially independent since I was 16, but college is expensive and I don't exactly need to be spending $1500+ on a misdemeanor that most employers probably won't care about. I've never taken a loan and I don't intend to.
I sincerely appreciate your time and consideration.
