Can I be charged with something without knowing?

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Can I be charged with something without knowing?

I was charged in VA with underage possession of alcohol. The officer wrote me a ticket and it says that is what I am being charged with. I just found out the court is trying to charge me with buying alcohol for someone under the age of 21. It does not say that on my ticket, so can they charge me with that without the officer even telling me that I was going to be charged for that crime?

Asked on August 6, 2011 Virginia

Answers:

FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney

Answered 12 years ago | Contributor

What happened in your situation was that law enforcement cited you and write you a ticket that you signed for under age possession of alcohol. The citation was then sent to the district attorney's office for review. The district attorney's office has the discretion to add additional charges against you.

If you found out that there are additional charges against you beyond what you initially signed on, then this is most likely what happened where the district attorney's office decided to add an additional charge on your offense date.

Given the fact that charges are being increased against you, you should consider retaining a criminal attorney to defend you at the upcoming court hearing.

Good luck.


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