Any individual in Missouri or Kansas who is under the age of 21 can be charged with being a Minor In Possession of alcohol  ( MIP ) If they are found guilty of:

              • Possessing Alcohol

              • Consuming Alcohol

              • Buying Alcohol

              • Attempting to Buy Alcohol

This type of alcohol offense can have serious consequences for minors. Loss of driving privileges, large fines, community service and increased insurance rates are among the possible penalties. In addition, there are also harsh penalties for the use or attempted use of false forms of identification (fake driver’s licenses or fake ID cards).

Don’t Plead Guilty!

IIn Missouri, a Minor In Possession (MIP) of alcohol charge is a misdemeanor. Courts can order community service and also attendance at alcohol education classes. Minors convicted of MIP can also be subject to the Missouri “Abuse and Lose” law. Under this law, courts are authorized to impose license suspensions and/or revocations for any minor who commits an alcohol-related traffic offense or is found to be in possession of a fake ID card.

The suspension periods can run between 90 days and one year. Missouri also has a “Zero-Tolerance” law which can affect minors. It is illegal for any person under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol level of .02 or above to operate a vehicle even though the legal limit for adults is .08. Minors can have their driving privileges suspended for a minimum of 30 days and if they have had previous alcohol-related contacts, their driving privileges can be suspended for even longer. They can also be ordered to complete a mandatory alcohol education program.

In Kansas, it is also illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to possess or consume alcohol. Conviction for an MIP charge can carry a mandatory driver’s license suspension period of between 30 and 90 days in addition to fines, possible jail time and court-ordered alcohol education classes.

Under the Kansas “Zero-Tolerance” law, it is illegal for any person under the age of 21 to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol level of .02 or above. A person under the age of 21 who tests between .02 and .08 can have their driving privileges suspended for a minimum of 30 days. In addition, refusal to take a breath test can result in driving privileges being suspended for one year.

Minor In Possession - MIP Penalties

Strong Defense

The good news is that a knowledgeable and experienced attorney can often help those charged with Minor In Possession or other under-age alcohol or drug-related offenses to avoid the most serious consequences of these charges. There are a variety of options which can be explored to keep Minor In Possession charges from becoming convictions, including amendments to lesser violations, suspended sentences and diversions. At Traffic Law Central of Bukaty Law Offices, P.A., we are highly experienced in negotiating directly with prosecutors and fighting aggressively to keep our clients out of jail, keep convictions off of their records and allow them to retain their driving privileges.

If you have been charged with an alcohol or drug-related offense and are under the age of 21, you owe it to yourself to contact a traffic and criminal defense attorney who has helped many people in your situation avoid a bad outcome. Contact us today for your FREE, Confidential Consultation or get your FREE Quote now!