Alcoholic Beverages Legal Questions

These details are a little fuzzy. I'm not certain which bond you want returned, the first DUI bond or the second DUI bond? When a case is dropped, the Court discharges the bond. I can't tell by your description if your first bond was revoked based on the new arrest. Follow this link to see how bail bonds can work.... Read More

If you wish to challenge the citation, or negotiate a better outcome, you need to plead not guilty.  It sounds like the officer was willing to work with you on a better outcome so get your not guilty plea entered.  The court will scheduled a hearing.  That is when you can argue for dismissal or ask the officer to agree to withdraw it.  As a matter of policy I always say to consult with a local attorney.  The reason I say this is that they will know the local policies.  They will also know the officer and judge involved.  Sometimes knowing the battlefield can be important rather than going in blind and relying on others.  ... Read More

So you have a third offense DUI, which means you have a mandatory jail sentence that you are looking at.  You have failed to appear at the court appearance, and have a warrant for your arrest.  Will they come to your work?  Maybe.  Will they be looking out for you? Very likely.  The problem with a warrant is no one here can tell you how hard they are looking.  Some people skate on warrants for years before they are finally caught.  Others it only takes a few weeks.  Still others are on their way to something important (Wedding, birth of child, birthday party) and they get caught on the warrant and taken into custody.  Here is the thing, get an attorney and deal with this now.  The Commonwealth isn't going to forget about you.  Your case isn't just going to go away.  If the cops know where you work, they will eventually take a peak to see if you are there.  Surrendering with counsel is the best way to avoid ending up in jail for a substantial period of time.  ... Read More

I guess the question I have is what do you mean by school situation?  If we are talking about expulsion or school punishment its a dificult question and really very dependant on what school we are talking about.  If this is a criminal case she may have defenses to the more serious charges.  Telling kids to drink is not an element of any crime.  Providing it to them would be.  So for instance, you have a fridge in the basement full of beer, its not secured in anyway.  Kids have a party at your house and overindulge.  You could be charged with providing alcohol.   She needs the help of experienced local counsel.  The types of charges she may be facing have far reaching consequences.  The internet is a poor substitute for a boots on the ground expert.  ... Read More

There are a lot of reasons to plead not guilty to an underaged drinking citation.  The first is that it carries with it a license suspsnsion and high fines.  It is also an escalating defense, so each offense gets more serious.  Pleading not guilty gives you a chance to explore diversionary programs which most counties offer for this offense.  In general if you have the time a not guilty plea can lead to a better outcome.  Attorneys fees in these types of cases are usually surprisingly reasonable.  Its worth your time to at least talk to local counsel to see how they can help.  You may be surprised at how small the fee is compared to how much positive impact they can bring to his case. ... Read More

I am not sure why you put indoors and private property in all caps.  Those arent issues that have any bearing on your question.  The simple question was were you in possession or consumption of an intoxicating beverage at the time the officer encountered you.  There may be suppression issues as to how he got into a position to observe you but you have been charged with a crime.  If you were found guilty of that crime then it will be on your background check.  The fact that the charges are pending may also be on your rap sheet.  If you haven't been found guilty you should consider challenging the charges.  There are plenty of diversion programs that will leave you without a conviction and again you may have a suppression issue as to the officers observations.  A local defense attorney can walk you through the particulars.  ... Read More