Mr. Fox encourages anyone charged with underage drinking to at least consult an attorney prior to attempting to handle the case on your own. At the very least, an experienced criminal defense attorney may be able to negotiate a reduced resolution, or in some circumstances significantly reduce the charge, or get the charge dismissed. And depending on the jurisdiction, an underage drinking charge may be eligible for diversion and therefore ultimately dismissed if the client successfully completes the recommended terms of the diversion program.
Underage drinking is a commonly-cited criminal offense if you’re located in the Columbus area, particularly among college and high school students. While some people think underage drinking is no big deal, it is a relatively serious offense.
- As a first-degree misdemeanor, young men and women face the potential for up to six months in jail, a $1000 fine, five years of probation and up to 500 hours of community service if convicted of underage drinking.
- If the young offender is a student, a conviction for underage drinking can also have collateral effects on their status with their school or university. Under certain circumstances, a conviction for underage drinking could affect someone’s scholarship status.