We all hope that our children make good choices. Unfortunately, the high school and college years are filled with opportunities to get in trouble. If your child has a minor in possession (MIP) charge, your first step should be to call a criminal defense attorney. A defense attorney can help secure the best legal outcome for your child so one mistake doesn’t rule the rest of their life.

Continue reading to learn more about your teen’s MIP charge and how a defense lawyer can help. Beurkens Law is here to make sure that your rights are protected and you get the legal counsel you need. For more information, set up a consultation with one of our criminal defense lawyers who specialize in MIP cases.

Minor in Possession

The legal drinking age in Michigan is 21. A minor in possession (MIP) means that your child had alcohol in their possession, attempted to buy alcohol, or drank alcohol while under the legal drinking age. If your child is facing charges for underage drinking, call a criminal defense attorneyas soon as possible.

First Time Offenders

If your child is a first-time offender, they may be eligible for an MIP diversion program. This means that the judge would choose not to enter a conviction provided that your child successfully completes a probationary period. During this period, your child would have to attend counseling, go to AA meetings, and avoid further legal trouble.

**Program requirements vary by district court.

MIP Consequences

Teenagers tend to live in the moment, making it hard for them to understand how an MIP conviction will affect them in the future when they want to apply for colleges, jobs, and apartments. Our criminal defense attorney can help your teen understand the consequences of their actions and what they’ll need to do moving forward.

MIP consequences include:

• Losing eligibility for federal student aid
• Being rejected by colleges
• Having fewer choices for college majors and careers
• Having difficulty finding or keeping a job
• Having difficulty getting housing
• Spending time behind bars
• Having driver’s license sanctions

Don’t underestimate the consequences of a MIP conviction. Call an attorney today to learn how your child can move forward after being charged with underage drinking. For example, our defense lawyer may be able to argue that there was no alcohol in the open container found in your child’s possession. The criminal defense we use depends on the circumstances surrounding your child’s case.

Campus Crime

Your college student could be especially vulnerable to a MIP charge if they’re living away from home for the first time. Since college students are away from their support systems, they need a criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.

Another reason why it’s vitally important to hire an attorney is to prevent your college student from losing their driver’s license if they’re charged with a DUI. Many college students depend on their driver’s license to drive to school, internships, and jobs. Other DUI consequences could include losing scholarship funding or even being expelled from their dream college.

Request a Consultation

If your child has been charged with underage drinking, call our law firm as soon as possible. To request a consultation with one of our Grand Rapids defense attorneys, call Beurkens Law at (616) 459-5344.

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What a MIP Means for Teenagers

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What Happens When Children are Caught with Drugs At School

This blog post has been updated.