PLEASE ANSWER

[jennings_2001]

A friend of mine got a possession of alcohol ticket in Jan. me and a couple of my friends were with him, we got off scott free even though we admitted to having some to drink. Ok, well he asked for a jury trial hoping that he wouldnt lose his liscence or something. Well, the arresting officer knew my parents, and when my friend asked for a jury trial the arresting officer had to get his case together so he came to me, while I was at work, to get the other people's names and to ask me some questions. Is this legal or was he taking advantage of the fact he knew me? Secondly, he said I may get subpoenaed? How will they subpeona me? do I have to go? and can I get in to trouble for under age drinking even though I wasnt issued any kind of ticket? I dont really mind going and testifying (i dont really want to, esp not against my friend) but i dont want to go to court and get myself in trouble, so i need some answers, pleeeeeeeeeeease, thanks~

 

[WIEMT]

Well if you're subpeonad, you have to testify. They can still cite you for underage drinking. If you have not made a deal with the prosecuting attorney. I would use your 5th amendment write. Each time they ask you a question in court state, "I invoke my 5th amendment right, and refuse to answer on the grounds I may incriminate myself." Answer all questions in this fashion, except for stating your name for the record. This way you are also not incriminating your friend.

 

[jennings_2001]

Alright, I will definately remember my 5th amendment rights. If we are subpeonaed, there will be 3 of us to get subpeonaed. So, will all three of us need to do this to keep ourselves out of trouble? The prosecuting attorney is goign to be the arresting officer, thats what he said the day he came and talked with me. I dont think he is to much after us, and I dont think my friends lawyer is going to try and get us. My friend said that his lawyer is going to try and prove that he wasnt the one that brought the alcohol, and the officer is goign to try and prove that he did, thats all either of them has said to me. If by some chance i did get cited for underage drinking, whats the usually punishment?? pleeeeeeeeeeease answer soon, thanks! I'm real nervous, and scared, this happend in Jan, so its drug out for awhile, 7 months, so I dont know when its actually going ot be tried. HELP!