Transportation of liquor by a minor

[jessebitz]

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

Hello all, I was pulled over after leaving a college campus at 4 A.M., The cop asked how much I have had to drink that night, I truthfully said "I had 1 beer, over 3 hours ago." I took some sobriety tests and went back to the station for a breathalyzer test, after going through all this they found I had no alcohol in my body. What they did find was 4 cases of beer in the back of my vehicle, I have an SUV so it could be seen when standing at the drivers door looking into the rear of the vehicle. The police officers confiscated the beer and gave me a summons for transportation of liquor by a minor.

The catch? It wasn't my alcohol. It was my fathers, he had recieved as a form of payment for a plumbing job. My father is going to testify to this in court. The law for transportation of liquor by a minor states "No person under the age of 21 shall transport alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle except in the scope of their employment or at the request of their parent". I plead not guilty at the arraignment and have a trial on Dec. 29th. Should I get a lawyer to help with with this case as it is a Civil Offence? I tried talkign with the District Attorney and he was not willing to drop the case because I admitted to having a beer. But I never said it was one of the beers from the back of my vehicle. Once again, Should I get a lawyer of just defend myself at the trial?

 

[CdwJava]

An attorney is always best, but this sounds like something you can make a go of.

However, unless you were transporting the beer from the site of your dad's job to where he was, it is going to sound like you were driving around knowing there was beer in the back of the car.

A judge may find mercy on you, he may not. In the future, make sure the car you drive is alcohol free.

 

[jessebitz]

Thanks for the response, normally I would take my consequenses, but there is one main reason why I want to get this dropped. That being, I am joining the Army and my job would require a Top Secret level of clearance. According to my Recruiter if this shows up on my record I would not be qualified for this clearance. Its not the fine or the license suspension I am worried about, it is my future in the Army

 

[CdwJava]

I don't see how a civil infraction for transporting alcohol would seriously effect a "top secret" security clearance, but I do not do evaluations for the military.

If it is that important, then you might want to hire that lawyer after all.

 

[Ohiogal]

Thanks for the response, normally I would take my consequenses, but there is one main reason why I want to get this dropped. That being, I am joining the Army and my job would require a Top Secret level of clearance. According to my Recruiter if this shows up on my record I would not be qualified for this clearance. Its not the fine or the license suspension I am worried about, it is my future in the Army

SO when was your dad paid with beer? By who? When did the beer end up in your car? Who put it there? Where? When?

Or is this a case of your daddy is trying to cover your butt for you?

 

[jessebitz]

SO when was your dad paid with beer? By who? When did the beer end up in your car? Who put it there? Where? When?

Or is this a case of your daddy is trying to cover your butt for you?

The payment took place earlier that day, or technically the day before because I was pulled over on a Sunday morning. I dont know if it was my dad or the person who he was doing the job for that put the alcohol in my vehicle. The reason why it ended up in MY vehicle is because my father doesnt have a car or truck so he uses mine on ocassion.

 

[CdwJava]

So, just how does someone declare beer as income on their income taxes?

 

[Hoons]

So, just how does someone declare beer as income on their income taxes?

Wages, salary & sips