My question involves criminal law for the state of: Tennessee
Let me set up the situation... I was at an empty house that is owned by a friend of mine's dad who lives in another state.
We decided to have a party in the house, and the neighbors called the police because they thought there was underage drinking going on (there definitely was).
The police arrived, knocked on the front door, and I answered it. They asked if they could come in, and I said yes.
Everybody was hiding, the police found everyone, and we all gathered into the kitchen. We had three cases of beer, a 5th of vodka, and a small amount of Everclear. The two people that supplied all the alcohol managed to escape, which of course did not sound credible when I told the police that...
The police then proceeded to write everyone up for an MIP. They did not breathalyze anyone, and could not prove who brought the alcohol.
We had people ranging from 16-18 years of age. I am 17 and had been drinking. The police asked me if I had been drinking and I told them the truth that I had been.
Many people there had not been drinking, some of which are 18 years of age. Is it possible for an 18 year old to get an MIP for just being around alcohol? Being 18 enables one to legally go into bars and clubs, so why would an 18 year old get in trouble if they are at a party with alcohol and did not consume any?
I demanded that everyone be breathalyzed, but the police refused and said that everyone would get the same punishment; I had friends there that did not do anything at all - they were just there having a good time socializing.
Questions:
1. Could I have said no to the policeman when he asked if he could come in?
2. What kind of punishment will I receive for consuming alcohol as a 17 year old?
3. Can people receive an MIP for just being there and not consuming any alcohol or contributing alcohol to the party?
4. Can an 18 year old receive an MIP for being at a party and not consuming alcohol?
Thanks for all your help, and I'm sorry this was so long. I was just trying to give you a picture of exactly what happened

