Underage Drinking, What to Expect in Court

[nateb]

My question involves criminal law for the state of: Tennessee
I was pulled over for speeding last night. I am 19. I had been drinking several hours ago, but was now sober. The officer claimed to smell alcohol and asked if I had been drinking and I said no. He went back to the car to get paperwork and sent his partner to ask me the same, and being nervous (first time ever pulled over), I came clean and said yes, I had been drinking several hours ago. They gave me a sobriety test which I passed easily, and sent me on my way with a court summons for speeding (8mph over) and drinking underage.

What can I expect in court for this? I have never been given a ticket before and I am a good student. Their only evidence is my word and the officers claim of smelling it on me. There was no breathalyzer, container, etc. What happens if I plead guilty? What happens if I fight it? Do I need a lawyer?

[Dogmatique]

No evidence?

You admitted it.

Are you still drunk?

[nateb]

No evidence?

You admitted it.

Are you still drunk?

Note that I said "except". I realize they can use my admission in court, I'm just wondering how that will hold up, and what I can do.
That was bad phrasing on my part. However there's no need to be insulting.

[flyingron]

The word except doesn't appear anywhere in your post. The smell of alcohol and your statements that you were drinking are BOTH enough to convict you on their own. Together, it's a slam dunk.

You may be eligible for a pretrial or judicial diversion that would avoid having this CRIMINAL CONVICTION entered on your record.

My advice is that you should at least consult with an attorney as to whether he thinks he can help you beat the charge (not probably likely) or help in assuring the diversion.

[nateb]

The word except doesn't appear anywhere in your post. The smell of alcohol and your statements that you were drinking are BOTH enough to convict you on their own. Together, it's a slam dunk.

You may be eligible for a pretrial or judicial diversion that would avoid having this CRIMINAL CONVICTION entered on your record.

My advice is that you should at least consult with an attorney as to whether he thinks he can help you beat the charge (not probably likely) or help in assuring the diversion.

I changed the wording after the previous comment in order to clarify things.

How would I obtain a judicial diversion?

I have decided to plead guilty, seeing as I've already incriminated myself. With that in mind, is there anything else I can do to limit the repercussions of this?

[flyingron]

NEVER plead guilty unless you have legal counsel as to the implications of doing so.
You get judicial diversion by asking for it. The probability of getting it or the best way to request it depends on the court.
This is why you need a lawyer. Your best bet is sidetracking this before you even GET to court.

[PandorasBox]

You can also expect to be ordered into an Alcohol Education program.