False Underage Possession and Consumption Charge
My question involves criminal law for the state of: New Jersey
Recently my friend was pulled over allowing an unlicensed driver, I was not aware he did not have a license, drive his car. In the backseat there was alcohol under the seat in front of where I was sitting that the officer could see. He asked me to take out the alcohol and hand it to him, which I did, never admitting that the alcohol was mine. I received a ticket for underage possession of alcohol with intent to possess but I was only getting a ride home from my friend and the alcohol was not mine. I was not charged with consumption in the ticket description. What can I do to ensure that I do not get charged with this and am found not guilty?
Re: False Underage Possession and Consumption Charge
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What can I do to ensure that I do not get charged with this and am found not guilty?
Nothing will ensure it, but you'll certainly better your situation by hiring an attorney and doing exactly as s/he tells you to do.
Re: False Underage Possession and Consumption Charge
Well is there a good chance that if I hire an attorney that this will be dropped? I mean it was not my car and if the cop had seen me drinking a beer than he would have given me consumption, clearly he just assumed that the beer in the backseat was mine which is ridiculous because it wasn't my car and I was only in the car for under a minute.
Re: False Underage Possession and Consumption Charge
I got these same charges dropped on me in Jersey. I chose to plead guilty. I got fined about $230 with "disturbing the peace" on my record. You can choose to fight it and plead not guilty. In that case you MUST hire an attorney.