The leading cause of death among youth is not disease or anything else unpreventable. The major killer of young people is alcohol. This is a completely preventable occurrence, so it should come as no surprise that the penalty of underage drinking is harsh. Those under 21 can be ticketed with an alphabet soup of offenses: MIP, MIC, PI, and of course, a DUI/DWI. Knowing what you are carded with can help you develop a strategy to handle your crime.

A minor-specific ticket option is an MIP, or Minor In Possession. Less frequently, an MIP is also called a PAULA, or Possession of Alcohol Under the Legal Age. The description of an MIP and the consequences of such an offense vary from state to state. In Washington state, an MIP can be given to minors who have firearms in their possession as well. In Missouri, an MIP ticket can result in a revoked or suspended license. Texas, which operates under a strict "Zero Tolerance" Policy for minors in possession of alcohol, gives an MIP for a minor holding an open container for any reason. Occasionally, an MIP can be given if the minor is not even drinking at all, but is at a party where alcohol is being served.

Another under-21 crime is an MIC, or a Minor In Consumption. In Texas, again due to its rigid anti-alcohol stance, it is illegal for a minor to drink at all. This means that even if you blow a .001 on a breathalyzer as a minor, you can be ticketed for an MIC. The punishment for an MIC varies; fines, jail time, community service, or a combination of these are all permissible if an underage person has been convicted of an MIC. Of course, if you are under 21 and drinking in sight of your parents or guardian and with permission, you may not be given an MIC.

A Public Intoxication, or PI, is given to an individual who is intoxicated in public to the point of being a danger to himself/herself or others. Both adults over 21 and minors can be convicted of a PI. For a legally aged adult, a PI usually results in a fine. However, Texas' strict policy on underage drinking causes a minor charged with a PI to undergo more punishment than someone of legal drinking age. A minor charged with a PI will have their license revoked for 30 days. Of course, with more PI tickets, a minor's license suspension can last even longer.

A DUI or DWI, or driving under the influence of alcohol, can be assigned to a minor even when their BAC is below the level of .08. This is because minors are not allowed to drink at all, so any indication of alcohol is considered a crime. DUIs are very serious offenses for minors. You might suffer a license suspension, and a Texas DUI can stay on your record permanently if your civil case is not dismissed.

The best bet is for minors to avoid alcohol altogether until they reach the age of 21. Organizations such as MADD and SADD work to prevent underage drinking, and if you are in Texas, the repercussions of minors drinking are serious. If you or someone you know receives an MIP, MIC, PI, or DUI/DWI as a minor, it can be important to speak to an attorney.