Should I plead not guilty to my underage drinking?
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Should I plead not guilty to my underage drinking?
The other day my friends and I were drinking and went to downtown – all underage. I was sitting in the back and when we left we ran into a DUI checkpoint where we all had to get out and get PBT tested. I thought it was only for the driver. But we all got underage consumption citations. I feel I shouldn’t have had to get out. They also searched the car without telling us and found a bottle of vodka. Should I plead not guilty and try to get a different or lesser charge?
Asked on June 26, 2012 under Criminal Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
Andrew Goldberg
Answered 11 years ago | Contributor
Do not plea guil;ty but rather request a Hearing. At the Hearing , you can ask for and the Judge will give you a Diversionary Prorgram. The Diversionary Program is for first time offenders and will not include a license suspension. It is likey to include either classes or community service. You are automatically eligible. You just have to ask the Judge. Alternatively, you could ask for Disorderly Conduct, a summary offense, rather than Underage Drinking . At the District Court level, you cannot argue that the search was an unlawful search. Good luck.
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