My question involves criminal law for the state of: New Jersey.
Last night I was with one of my friends who drove me to the liquor store because I have no license. I purchased two bottles of beer. we were talking to some friends on a street and the cops were called for lingering. They asked who the beer was for and I told them it was for me, which it was. They asked my friend and he also said it was for me and he did not contribute any money for purchasing the alcohol. He also did not consume any alcohol and was not asked to submit to a Breathalyzer. After I was given the ticket for providing the alcohol. The officer gave me my beer back and told us to leave. If someone is being charged with providing alcohol to a minor, wouldn't it make sense that the officer would confiscate the alcohol and not give it back and let me leave with the minor? I feel with this situation I have a really strong case to be able to fight it. Plus the beer was where I was sitting by my feet. My friend also told the cops that he knew he couldn't drink and did not consume one drop. Any advice? They also found an open bottle that was not purchased by me. I was going to go to the liquor store and try to obtain a receipt to prove that It was not purchased by me

