Minor in Possession of Alcohol – California Vehicle Code 23224

Orange County MIP Attorney

It is a crime for a minor to be in possession of alcohol in California.  This crime is a misdemeanor, which means it is not a simple traffic ticket that can be paid off with no consequences outside of having to pay fines.  A misdemeanor conviction means you will have a criminal record.

There are a number of defenses with a minor in possession charge.  The law requires that you knowingly possessed the alcohol.  It will be the prosecutor’s job to prove you actually knew the alcohol was in your vehicle.

A “minor” in this situation means anyone under the age of 21.  The punishment for a minor in possession of alcohol conviction can be up to six months in county jail up to one thousand dollars ($1,000) in fines.  Your car can be towed on the spot, at the owner’s expense, if you were the driver.  The court can suspend for your driver’s license up to one year.

If you were arrested for being a minor in possession of alcohol, consult with an experienced Orange County Minor in Possession Attorney.  At the Law Offices of Nam Q. Doan | OC Legal Defense, I will aggressively fight to get your case dismissed and keep your record clean.  Having a misdemeanor conviction on your record can hurt your chances of obtaining gainful employment or being admitted into a college or university.  For more information, visit www.OCLegalDefense.com.