How Long After the Offense Can You Be Charged With Buying Alcohol for Minors
My question involves criminal law for the state of: Illinois
On the evening of the incident I had bought alcohol for two of my friends who are 16. I am 21. We consumed the alcohol and decided to go for a walk. Along the way my two friends started car hopping and stole a few items. Eventually the police were called and the three of us were detained and taken to the police station. The officers interviewed us separately. I was the last to be interviewed. Apparently one of my friends had told the police that I bought the alcohol for them but he provided the officer with the wrong location. The officer tried to get me to confess to supplying alcohol to the minors, but I did not. I only confessed to being drunk. He told me that he would review the security footage at the store and if he saw me buying the alcohol that he would put a warrant out for my arrest. Eventually I was released and not charged with anything. My other two friends had confessed to the car hopping and to drinking and told the officer that I had not participated in the theft (which I did not). The two friends were released as well without any charges. If my friends had been charged and I had been let go then I would not be worried, however, since they were not charged for the crime that they confessed to I am afraid that we will receive subpoenas in the mail. I am currently a college student at Indiana University and I am back home in Illinois for the summer. At Indiana University I was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and signed up for the Pretrial Diversion Program. I completed all requirements for the program but I am still on court supervision for one year. If I get any charges brought against me then I will lose all of the investments for the program and my old charge will be reinstated along with the new charge. I will then have to travel to courts in Indiana and Illinois and I will most certainly have to drop out of college for financial reasons. I was wondering what sort of legal advice I may receive and any input on the situation that may calm my fears of still being charged after the incident. I am extremely worried because all of my goals and future are currently on the line. I realize I made a horrible mistake. Thank you for any advice.
Re: No Charge for Supplying Alcohol to Minors That Night. Can I Still Receive Subpoen
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I was wondering what sort of legal advice I may receive and any input on the situation that may calm my fears of still being charged after the incident.
something to calm your fears? Like what? The only thing I can think of that would calm your fears would be a lie.
Actually, they have a quite lengthy time to file charges. I haven't looked but I suspect they have up to a year to file charges.
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I am extremely worried because all of my goals and future are currently on the line. I realize I made a horrible mistake.
well, you should have been more concerned about that BEFORE you broke the law...again.
Re: No Charge for Supplying Alcohol to Minors That Night. Can I Still Receive Subpoen
I would think that after further investigation being charged a real possibility. A certainty? That's hard to tell.
Re: No Charge for Supplying Alcohol to Minors That Night. Can I Still Receive Subpoen
You guys went for a walk. I assume that it would not be hard to decipher where you bought the alcohol. They may have given the wrong location, but I hardly think that it would be too much legwork to actually pinpoint where you bought the alcohol and that you guys lied. Then the fun will begin. Depending on what county this is in, there's a good possibility they'll play around with this one.