If you have been charged with Minor in Possession (MIP) or Consumption (MIC) in Bothell or anywhere else in Washington, you should contact a Bothell MIP defense attorney as soon as possible.
You can be charged with a Bothell MIP under a number of different circumstances. It is unlawful for someone under the age of 21 to possess, consume, or otherwise acquire any liquor ( RCW 66.44.270 ). Additionally, you could be charged with a Bothell MIP if you are under the age of 21 and are in a public place (including a car in a public place) and you are exhibiting the effects of having consumed liquor. The legislature has defined "exhibiting the effects" as having the odor of liquor on your breath and either (1) you are in possession of or in close proximity to a container that has or recently had liquor in it, or (2) by speech, manner, appearance, behavior, lack of coordination, or otherwise you exhibit that you are under the influence of liquor. This is a broad definition, but by hiring an experienced Bothell MIP Defense Attorney who knows the various MIP defenses you will have the best chance at avoiding a Bothell MIP conviction.
MIP is a gross misdemeanor , meaning if convicted you could be facing up to 364 days in jail and a $5000 fine. If you are under the age of 18, you are facing a yearlong license revocation for a first violation. If you are under 18 and have previous MIP convictions, the license revocation goes up to two years ( RCW 46.20.265 ). In addition to these direct consequences, a Bothell MIP conviction will affect your life in other ways. If you are applying for a job or an apartment you will have to report an MIP conviction on job and housing applications and explain what happened. It is important to contact an experienced Bothell MIP Defense Attorney quickly to have the best defense to your Bothell MIP charge.
Bothell MIP Defense Attorney Lance R. Fryrear has over a decade of experience defending Bothell MIP charges. This experience, coupled with the seven years he spent as a prosecuting attorney, has given him the tools necessary to aggressively advocate on your behalf. For many of his clients , he has been able to avoid MIP convictions.
Contact Bothell MIP Defense Attorney Lance R. Fryrear today for your free consultation. I will fight for your best possible resolution.