Alcohol & Drugs: MIP, MIC, Intoxication 2nd MIP

[jgortner]

i am 19 years old and have recieved 2 MIPs in washington state in less than a year. the first one occured when i was drinking a beer in a public park. instead of being convicted, i was offered bail forfiture and was told it would be on my record but never charged with the MIP. I recieved the 2nd about 4 months later in similar circumstances. this time however am facing 5-10 days in jail. the prosecuter then offered me a deal where if i plead guilty and remain clean for 12 months, it will be taken off my record. however, if i get another citation, even for a speeding ticket, i will face a year in jail and a 5000 dollar fine. i have many friends who have recieved multiple MIPs (as many as 4) in washington and only had to pay fines. why is it that im facing so much jail time for 2nd offence and no one else ive met who has done the exact same thing as me (2 or more offences in less than a year) only had to pay a fine and community service?

 

[Michael Wechsler]

i am 19 years old and have recieved 2 MIPs in washington state in less than a year. the first one occured when i was drinking a beer in a public park. instead of being convicted, i was offered bail forfiture and was told it would be on my record but never charged with the MIP. I recieved the 2nd about 4 months later in similar circumstances. this time however am facing 5-10 days in jail. the prosecuter then offered me a deal where if i plead guilty and remain clean for 12 months, it will be taken off my record. however, if i get another citation, even for a speeding ticket, i will face a year in jail and a 5000 dollar fine. i have many friends who have recieved multiple MIPs (as many as 4) in washington and only had to pay fines. why is it that im facing so much jail time for 2nd offence and no one else ive met who has done the exact same thing as me (2 or more offences in less than a year) only had to pay a fine and community service?

Sorry to hear about your situations:

(1) The penalties you speak of above are maximum amounts, not the required. Most don't receive such sentences from what I understand.

(2) Different jurisdictions decide how steep a punishment is for a cetain crime. I don't disagree with you that sometimes there is a disturbing variation. There are explanations for this sometimes too as, e.g. horse stealing is taken more seriously in Texas than it is in New York as it may happen more frequently and the residents perceive it to be a greater problem.

(3) Find out what the above plea means and whether it includes a guilty plea or you are just not using the technical term.

Good luck to you. Perhaps living a very straight life for a year might not be so bad!