My question involves criminal law for the state of: CA
Hello, first off I would like to say thank you for the legal advise to those whom respond, your help is appreciated. I'm going to give you the honest story of what had happened last night. I just recently turned 19, and last night I was in Los Angeles (Torrance, CA) for my friends birthday party that he was throwing at his house. Two of my friends were with me, and we were going to a liquor store that me and one of them had known about (we knew one of the clerks, and knew that he would sell it to us). I wasn't going to drink that night, because I live in Orange County, and had to drive back home that night. However, my friend that knows the clerk wanted to drink, and my other friend that didnt know the clerk also wanted to drink.
My friend that knew the clerk was willing to go inside, because well, he knew the clerk, and it was his own alcohol he was buying. My other friend had asked me if I could go inside and purchase his alcohol, because he didnt know the clerk. Reluctantly, I agreed because we had never got caught before (I know, this was a bad idea). But we had purchased all our alcohol, and as we were walking out (we werent even outside yet), cops rushed, parked and saw us with our bags. We told them the entire truth, and were respectful at all times. They cited us for "Minor Purchasing Alcohol Under 21", citation 25658 b&p.
A few details about me before I ask my questions:
- I recently turned 19
-My record is absolutely clean, I've never even gotten a parking ticket before.
-I attend a prestigious UC (University of California)
I had a few questions regarding my case.
1. What is the estimated fine for a misdemeanor like this?
- Will my record and honesty help out with this?
- Since I'm a student, and my funds are low, are there certain financial plans I can take to pay this off rather than pay it all of at once?
2. Can my license be suspended for this misdemeanor?
- I go to school and will probably have a job soon
- I wasn't even in a car, the bottles werent open.
3.Will postponing my court date help at all?
- My brother has postponed his courtdate for his 400$ speeding ticket. He did it 3 times and the cop didnt show up and my brother didn't have to pay for his ticket.
4. Once I pay off this ticket, will it stay on my record, and for how long? Will this affect my chances to get a job?
5. Would it be a bad idea to tell the judge I was buying it for my other friend and that I knew the clerk?
-It's my honest story, I will put that on my mothers grave (not that this matters in court)
6. The cops told me that Minor Purchasing Alcohol and Minor in Possession is no different, is he right? Or could being ticketed for MIP possibly lower my fine?
Any other help is appreciated... I am actually hoping to become a law student myself when I graduate next year, so I am taking this mistake as a learning experience.
Thank you!

