As a minor, it can be tempting to try alcohol, especially when your friends are involved. Since it is considered such a forbidden substance for underage minors, many minors are curious to find out what the big deal is. They may want to try alcohol just out of curiosity, or perhaps they feel pressured by friends to have a drink. Alternatively, some teenagers are exposed to alcohol at an early age by family members and may forget that it is actually illegal to possess alcohol if not under supervision of a parent or guardian. All of these situations can result in an alcohol related arrest for a minor in Florida.

Possession of Alcohol by a Minor

To be arrested for an alcohol related offense, a minor does not even have to be drinking alcohol; he or she may simply be holding a drink for a friend or carrying a case of beer for an older sibling. Any physical possession of alcohol by anyone underage is against the law. Possession by a Minor is a second-degree misdemeanor that can carry some heavy penalties even for a first time offender. If convicted, you could find yourself serving up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Your offense will be recorded on your criminal record, which could make it difficult to apply to college, scholarships, and jobs.

Misrepresenting Your Age

When you try to appear older than you are by modifying your appearance or your ID to obtain alcohol, you are committing a criminal offense. Modifications made to a driver's license or state ID are taken very seriously. Applying white out to an ID, scratching out a birth date, attaching a photo of yourself, and other modifications qualify as age misrepresentation. Using an older friend's ID to try to purchase alcohol also falls into this category. Under Florida law, Misrepresenting Age to Obtain Alcohol is a second-degree misdemeanor.

How a Lawyer Can Help

If you are underage and have been arrested for an alcohol related offense, consider consulting with a criminal lawyer immediately. A criminal attorney will review all details of your case to look for violations of your rights and weaknesses in the evidence brought against you. He or she will protect your rights under the law and fight to defend your case against an overzealous prosecution. If you have already been convicted of an alcohol related charge, you may be able to have your criminal record sealed or expunged to minimize its negative impact on your personal and professional life.

For More Information

To learn more about alcohol charges for minors and preparing your defense for court, please visit the website of experienced West Palm Beach criminal lawyers Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today.