Over Thanksgiving break, friends and I had gotten a hotel room to have a get together of friends and what not that had gotten back in town. A majority of us were minors and beer was present. Later that night, management called the room to have the guests leave because we had been getting too loud. Everyone was clearing out, I was walking down the stairs when an officer was proceeding to come up. He noticed the room we had on the corner with people leaving, he then turned back to me and asked that I return back to the room. I cooperated with the officer and went back to the room.
He questioned all of our ages, took ids, and questioned us as to who's beer it was. My friend who's name the room was in took responsibility for the beer as the rest of us complied and gave them our ids. Later we were all given PBT tests, of which I blew a 0.1. After we were all given tests they asked us how much we had to drink that night, feeling guilty as is after the PBT I claimed I had had a couple, but never said as to when or where. Currently the fine stands at $294, with a court date of the 16th. I'm curious as to what I should do for court or how I should go about fighting this charge. A few points for/against me are the following I believe:
For:
I never claimed that the beer was mine.
When the officer spotted me, I was not in position of any substance at the time.
Against:
PBT clearly showed I had been drinking, however legal services here at my school informed me that I should not have been obligated to take one. The officers in giving us tests, held the devices up to our mouth's and told us to blow.
Admitted to having a couple beers, after PBT test was taken and results given.
I know I'm guilty to some degree, but I also know I'm innocent. I'm looking to get a deferred statement or something to the effect of a class I can take to get the fine reduced and charge dropped off my record, or community service to pay off the effective amount of the fine and have it dismissed. I know an attorney would be best to have with me at court, but I'm thinking the costs of having one would far outweigh the ticket cost itself.
At the court itself, there will be 7 of us there as a group, we all have the same time and date for our hearings, so I feel it will be a group collaboration type thing. I'm curious do I stand a chance if I plea not guilty and represent myself stating I'd like to do community service or a class to minimize the charge? I'm currently a college student, entirely paying for my own education, loans, apartment rent, full-time student without a job. Does this help my case if I inform them of my financial situation and that it would be extremely hard for me to pay a fine of this amount with so many of my other financial obligations?
Any help or advice is welcomed. Thanks
He questioned all of our ages, took ids, and questioned us as to who's beer it was. My friend who's name the room was in took responsibility for the beer as the rest of us complied and gave them our ids. Later we were all given PBT tests, of which I blew a 0.1. After we were all given tests they asked us how much we had to drink that night, feeling guilty as is after the PBT I claimed I had had a couple, but never said as to when or where. Currently the fine stands at $294, with a court date of the 16th. I'm curious as to what I should do for court or how I should go about fighting this charge. A few points for/against me are the following I believe:
For:
I never claimed that the beer was mine.
When the officer spotted me, I was not in position of any substance at the time.
Against:
PBT clearly showed I had been drinking, however legal services here at my school informed me that I should not have been obligated to take one. The officers in giving us tests, held the devices up to our mouth's and told us to blow.
Admitted to having a couple beers, after PBT test was taken and results given.
I know I'm guilty to some degree, but I also know I'm innocent. I'm looking to get a deferred statement or something to the effect of a class I can take to get the fine reduced and charge dropped off my record, or community service to pay off the effective amount of the fine and have it dismissed. I know an attorney would be best to have with me at court, but I'm thinking the costs of having one would far outweigh the ticket cost itself.
At the court itself, there will be 7 of us there as a group, we all have the same time and date for our hearings, so I feel it will be a group collaboration type thing. I'm curious do I stand a chance if I plea not guilty and represent myself stating I'd like to do community service or a class to minimize the charge? I'm currently a college student, entirely paying for my own education, loans, apartment rent, full-time student without a job. Does this help my case if I inform them of my financial situation and that it would be extremely hard for me to pay a fine of this amount with so many of my other financial obligations?
Any help or advice is welcomed. Thanks
