Gas Station Attendant Sold Alcohol to a Minor

My question involves criminal law for the state of: North Carolina.

I was working at a gas station one night by myself. It was a busy night I could barely keep up with the customers. Well towards the end of the line. I wasn't paying attention and sold to a minor. At the time a current employee was at the store and I put him on the register while I called my boss and told her what happened. I have my court date. I can't afford a lawyer I also found out I am pregnant and no one will hire me. I figured pleading guilty was the best answer. My friend told me that I could get a prayer of judgement, is that true and where do I start?

You start by reading the statutes.

http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislat...S_18B-302.html

http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislat...18B-302.1.html

It's a Class 1 misdemeanor carrying a fine of $250 (minimum) and 25 hours community service (minimum). There may be court fees and other charges on top of that.

I suggest you find some way to consult an attorney, maybe through legal aid, before you go pleading guilty to something that will give you a criminal record.

Don't plead guilty.

But also don't use the "you were too busy" excuse. I demo alcoholic beverages, I worked a college campus a few weeks back....86 customers in 2 hours. With all forms of ID....multiple state licenses I had to search to make sure had watermarking, and look for the date on, make sure the photo matched the person. Foreign ID's where I had to search for the DOB and stuff to authenticate it. Passports. And I have to make sure all these people stay right next to my table, so I can see them, while I ID the next person. So trust me....take a TIPS/TAMS class.

In North Carolina a prayer for a judgment is a form of deferred sentence. If you can do that to avoid a criminal conviction that would normally be a good outcome.

I believe the original title said that she sold alcohol to a minor.

If she JUST found out she is pregnant and isn't showing yet, I don't know why she thinks no one will hire her. Surely she doesn't think she's required to tell a hiring manager that she's pregnant, does she? Though personally, I might have a few qualms about hiring someone who was "too busy" to ensure that the law was followed.