Minor Transportation of Alcoholic Beverages

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Indiana

I was stopped over the weekend for minor transportation of alcoholic beverages (Indiana code 7.1-5-7-7). I was leaving a liquor store with my friend (who is 22) and we were stopped because the driver (me, I am 19) looked young. The undercover officers who followed us stated that they witnessed the purchaser put alcohol in my trunk. I got a minor transportation charge and he got a contributing to minor charge. This is my first offense of any type. I have to appear in court this Thursday. What should I expect? Should I just plead guilty and expect a fine, or is there another way to approach this?

IC 7.1-5-7-7
Illegal possession
Sec. 7. (a) It is a Class C misdemeanor for a minor to knowingly:
(1) possess an alcoholic beverage;
(2) consume it; or
(3) transport it on a public highway when not accompanied by at least one (1) of his parents or guardians.
(b) If a minor is found to have violated subsection (a) while operating a motor vehicle, the court may order the minor's driver's license suspended for up to one (1) year. However, if the minor is less than eighteen (18) years of age, the court shall order the minor's driver's license suspended for at least sixty (60) days.
(c) The court shall deliver any order suspending the minor's driver's license under this section to the bureau of motor vehicles, which shall suspend the minor's driver's license under IC 9-24-18-12 for the period ordered by the court.

Above is the actual law you were cited for.

Being the person that purchased the alcohol. Was not a parent or legal gaurdian. That is where you violated the law. Also you were in control of the vehicle.

I would talk to the prosecuting attorney and see if a deal could be made. This is a misdemeanor.

Thanks. Do you have any idea of what I SHOULD expect as a punishment? Also, will I have the option to plead no contest?

Being a Misdemeanor, you could get probation, community service, acohol awareness classes, fined, there is a possibilty of jail time. But this all depends on your prior record. If you have been in trouble before especially with acohol related convictions like MIP or DUI.

As for pleading no contest, I do not see where you would benefit from using this plea. My advice is if you can afford it hire an attorney. When hiring an attorney I would hire one that specializes in acohol offenses.