Alcohol & Drugs: MIP, MIC, Intoxication Possesion of Alcohol

[jamespeters]

What is the name of your state? New Hampshire

I'm a 20 year old college student who was arrested last November for possession of alcohol. A group of students made plans to go to a cabin for a night. When the car arrived to pick my girlfriend and I up, there was a male sitting in the front seat who we had never met and did not know. The driver took us to CVS, the male in front purchased alcohol, and we drove to the cabin. I did not know him and assumed he was of legal age. I did not take part in the purchase of the alcohol in any shape or form. When we parked our car at the bottom of the mountain of where our cabin was, the male could not manage to carry both cases himself. Another girl who was in the car grabbed it to carry but I, trying to be a gentleman, grabbed it instead and said I would carry it to the site. As we walked to the opening in the mountain whose trail would lead to the cabin, a police officer pulled us over. The officer asked if anyone was over 21. My girlfriend and I looked towards the male who had purchased the alcohol assuming he was 21. He was 18. We were then arrested for possession of alcohol and taken to the station. None of the beers had been open and I had not been drinking and was willing to take a breathalyser test at the station.

This is the first time I've ever been in trouble with the law; I've never been arrested, questioned, warned or anything else. Can I plead not guilty and on what grounds?

Thanks

 

[mafioso]

Plead not guilty and get a lawyer. Do accept a fine or anything if your story is true...............You have a chance of fighting even if they would think you exercised poor judgment. Can't tell what to do at this point except getting a lawyer.

 

[jamespeters]

Would getting a lawyer end up costing more then just paying the fine?

 

[jamespeters]

I wrote the prosecutor

"At the bottom of the summons
it says "if you wish to enter a plea of not guilty, please inform the
Police Dept. at least 48 hours prior to the date scheduled for
appearance." Right now I am planning on going to the court on the set date and
explaining my position. I'd like to hear your take on my best course of
action and how practical a plea of not guilty would be.

and hear is what he said:

"Sir,

As the department prosecutor I can not tell you what your best course of
action is in this matter. I can only tell you that it is the State's burden
to prove your guilt. The Judge will not accept a plea of not guilty with an
explanation; he will just set the matter down for a trial. The only time a
defendant is allowed to speak to the Court as to the facts of the case is
when they enter a plea of guilty or at the time of trial. "

any feedback on this?

 

[mafioso]

Get a lawyer if you can afford one. Lawyer's prices vary greatly.......so see what you can get. But in most cases, it would more expensive that the fine. But winning the case would keep a clean record on this issue. Paying the fine would remain on your record and could hurt you at some point in life...............A finding of not guilty can give you a clean slate like it never happened.............if expunged or dismissed.