Minor in Possession (MIP) & Open Container

Michigan Minor in Possession Defense Attorney

Criminal charges involving minors must be taken very seriously. In order to effectively deal with minor in possession (MIP) of alcohol, marijuana or tobacco charges, or open container charges, enlist the assistance of a knowledgeable criminal defense lawyer.

For nearly thirty years, the Law Office of Jerry M. Beurkens has been a trusted and established member of the legal and local communities in and around Grand Rapids, Michigan. The firm's principal attorney, Jerry Beurkens, is a highly skilled criminal defense lawyer. He takes the time to assess his clients' cases and determine the best way to proceed, taking into account their specific situations, needs and futures.

To find out more about the firm's handling of MIP, underage consumption and open container cases, contact the Law Office of Jerry M. Beurkens today and schedule a consultation.

Conviction Consequences

Pleading guilty or being convicted of a minor in possession or open container offense can have a wide range of consequences both now and into the future, including:

• Creating a criminal history for the minor
• Placing the offense on the minor's driving record, which may lead to driver's license sanctions
• Preventing the minor from obtaining employment
• Paying higher car insurance premiums

First-time offenders may be eligible for diversion. This means that if they successfully complete the terms of their probation, the charge will be kept off their permanent criminal record and they will avoid both fines and jail time.

Please note, if a minor is on probation for an MIP and receives another MIP citation, the courts can impose jail time.

Holmes Youthful Trainee Act

If an individual between the ages of 17 and 20 has pleaded guilty to a crime, it may be possible to avoid a criminal record following incarceration or probation depending on the crime. Mr. Beurkens is highly knowledgeable of how the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act may be applied in a wide range of situations involving minors, including MIP cases and open container offenses.

Search and Seizure Issues

When dealing with minor in possession and open container cases, it is important to examine any potential violations of constitutional rights. If the police violated your rights or any standard law enforcement procedures, the firm can use this valuable information when structuring a comprehensive defense on your behalf.

A criminal conviction can follow a minor for the rest of his or her life. If you live in Western Michigan, enlist the assistance of a firm that will aggressively fight for your rights — contact a lawyer at the Law Office of Jerry M. Beurkens today.