<p>My friend got a citation during beach week with possession of alcohol. He has a courtdate this thursday. What's the biggest thing that can happen? I heard you get fined. Does it go on your permenant record?</p>
<p>In some states if your under 18 you automatically get your license suspended for six months, but it doesn't go on your permenant record. If you're over 18, it usually is just a small fine, however it does stay on your permanent record. But really the judge, the state, and other circumstances will effect the outcome.</p>
<p>It depends on a few things... how he presents himself in court, his prior record (is it clean or does he have a history?), etc...</p>
<p>yeah he is 18 and has a prior clean record and in state of Maryland</p>
<p>ehh sorry i dunno much about citations. But i'm from MD and senior week was freaking AWESOME.</p>
<p>have any of you guys ever had citations before? what happened? tell me the outcomes and stuff please!</p>
<p>The word "citation" reminds me of that annoying SafeAuto commercial.</p>
<p>I don't know about MD, but I can give you some info that might be helpful. My 19 yr old s got a "citation" for minor in possession (MIP) this summer (Texas). He was in a car with some friends and when they were stopped, there was beer in the trunk. He has a court date in August where he will ask for (and recieve) deferred adjudication for the citation. We have already been in contact with the DA and she told him exactly what he needs to do. He has to take a 6 hour "alchohol awareness course" and will have to do some designated number of community service hours (which he can do at his college). He also has to not get another MIP in Texas for 3 months after the court date. The ticket will then be dismissed, but the arrest will stay on his record until he is 21, when he can petition to have the ticket info expunged from his permanent record. They keep the arrest on your record in case you get another MIP before your 21st b-day. If you get another one, your license gets suspended and you cannot do deferred adjudication. For each additional ticket, the punishment is more severe. </p>
<p>I'm hoping that my s learned his lesson from this one!! Anyway, I hope this helps.</p>
<p>paul, if his court date in this week, he should contact the court and see if he can do deferred adjudication. If he just pleads guilty and pays the fine, the conviction will stay on his permanent record. Most courts are willing to worth with you if your record is clean and you have no prior MIPs.</p>
<p>woah thanks so much.. but what is derfered adjustication?</p>
<p>Here, possesion of alcohol or weed is nothing more than a slap on the wrist (they fine you like 200 bucks) My friend got an MIP a few years ago, he was 15 at the time, all he had to do was pay the court fees. Which only cost like $150</p>
<p>deferred adjudication is where they will drop the charges if you complete their specifications. Like in the case of an MIP, my s has to take the alch. course and do the comm service, and not get another one for a certain time period, and the charges will be dropped. For a speeding ticket, it might just be that you have to not get a ticket for 45 days or something. Why this is significant (at least in Texas) is that the charge will not show up on a record check so it will not effect your insurance rates. With an MIP, if you just plead guilty and pay the fine (it is a class C misd.) it is no big deal, BUT you can never get it off your record. If you do the deferred, the ticket doesn't show up on record checks at all, and at 21, all traces of the arrest are expunged, thus.. a clean record. This is important because all subsequent arrests have stiffer and stiffer consequences. As I said, I hope my s has learned his lesson and won't get another one, or God forbid, a DWI, but I don't want him to have any record at all when he starts out on his adult life, and in Texas, alchohol related offenses are taken really seriously. Deferred is the way to go (here), if you can get the court to go along with it. As I said, if you don't have a prior MIP or any other bad things on your record (besides traffic tickets) most DA's will agree to it and it is just a matter of going to court and getting it approved by the judge.</p>
<p>Does this make sense?</p>
<p>yeah thats what my friend was also saying.. but I hope it really is..</p>
<p>ah I see.. thanks for explaining it to me.. but I don't think Maryland offers a DA? i think its called a plea bargain?</p>
<p>DA as in District Attorney. Like the prosecutor.</p>
<p>I meant DA as in deferred adjustication</p>
<p>When your friend goes to his court session - he will have the ability to speak to the ''lawyer/attorney of the day'' - who will assist him regarding what to expect and different options - it is a very good idea to dress well - get there early - and make sure to connect with this lawyer - if one is not being represented.</p>
<p>If this is a first offense - most likely he will end up with a fine and def. ad. of some sort - but he needs to talk to the lawyer/attorney of the day first - who will actually be the one most likely to ''represent'' him during the hearing.</p>
<p>As long as the citation was not for alcohol in a car/driving - he should not have a difficult time of this. It will most likely go on his record - but when the def ad is completed - will probably be expunged at that time.</p>
<p>yeah it wasn't in a car.. thanks alot JeepMom!</p>
<p>PAUL - just keep in mind that this type of citation happens thousands of times a year to kids - not the worst that can happen - so it won't be as bad as I am sure he may think it is.......... life will go on for him - believe me. His parents may be a bit miffed - but that too shall pass.</p>
<p>Maybe it will be an 'eye opener' tho for his future - not to worry. Just tell him to make sure to follow thru on what ever the judge says - get it done - and move on.</p>