Your Advocate For Underage Drinking And Drug Charges In Wake County
Though underage drinking, underage alcohol possession and some drug crime charges are considered misdemeanors, do not think they are inconsequential.
A conviction of any of these charges in North Carolina can result in penalties that may follow young people for the rest of their adult lives. There are ways to mitigate these charges, however. With the help of our skilled Raleigh underage drinking lawyer, you may be able to lessen the impact.
Contact Cotten Law Firm today to learn more about the options that may be available to you in your case. Our underage drinking & drug charges attorney in Raleigh is dedicated to providing attentive, one-on-one service to help our clients understand their situation and achieve their goals. We serve clients throughout Wake County.
Underage Drinking Consequences In North Carolina
People ages 12 through 20 are responsible for consuming 11% of the alcohol in the United States. Underage drinking is illegal in North Carolina – regardless of whether the teen has their parent’s permission. In North Carolina, driving under the influence is not tolerated.
Teens caught driving after consuming alcohol can be charged with a DWI and underage consumption. It is also common for underage drinkers to be charged for using false identification. The penalties for underage drinking and drug charges can vary depending on the specific circumstances of the case. However, some of the possible consequences include:
- Fines
- Community service
- Probation
- Jail time
- Loss of driver’s license
- Difficulty getting a job or getting into college
Teens and their parents may not know whom to call for help, but it’s best to work with an experienced underage drinking attorney in Fuquay-Varina. Those who don’t often have poor outcomes and struggle later when applying for schools and jobs due to their criminal record.
What Happens If You Get Caught With Alcohol Under 21 In North Carolina?
In North Carolina, a person under 21 caught purchasing, attempting to purchase or possessing alcohol may be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. Sentencing is left to the judge’s discretion. If convicted, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles will revoke that juvenile’s driver’s license.
First-Time Offenders
For the first offense, a person convicted of selling or providing alcohol to someone under 21 typically must pay a $250 fine plus $100 in court costs and do 25 hours of community service.
You may be aware of first-time offender programs allowing certain drug crime charges to be dismissed. While there are many circumstances in which this can be an excellent option, it is important to remember that this is not best for every single case.
Contact Us Today
Hiring an attorney can help to mitigate the consequences of underage drinking or drug charges. With a lawyer’s help, you may be able to:
- Negotiate a plea deal
- Reduce the charges
- Get the charges dismissed altogether
If you or your child were charged with underage drinking or drug use, contact the Wake County juvenile crime lawyer at Cotten Law Firm, PLLC, by calling 984-600-3090 or contacting us online.