Common Juvenile Offenses

• Minor in Possession of Alcohol

• Minor in Possession of Tobacco

• Petty Theft

• Shoplifting

• Drug Crimes

• Vandalism

• Arson

• Drunk Driving

• Violent Crimes

• Assault and Battery

• Sex Crimes

• Auto Theft

Call Daniel Ambrose on his cell phone at (248) 808-3130 or email him at Daniel@ambroselawgroup.com. 

Call Jill Duffy on her cell phone at (248) 736-7306 or email her at jill@ambroselawgroup.com.

Minor in Possession of Alcohol

Minor in Possession of Alcohol, or MIP, is one of the most common juvenile offenses. The legal age for consumption and possession of alcohol in Michigan is 21 years old. Michigan has some of the toughest MIP laws; take action as soon as a charge of MIP is filed.

Do not answer any questions after arrest and plead not guilty at the arraignment! Assert your right to an attorney!

Possession

A minor is in possession of alcohol if:

• There is alcohol in their blood from prior consumption;

• The minor purchases alcohol;

• The minor has alcohol on them;

• The minor attempts to possess alcohol.

First time offenders

First time offenders may be able to receive a break from the court. If a juvenile has no prior adjudication for MIP the court can chose to put the juvenile on probation. If the terms of the probation are met, the juvenile will not have a misdemeanor on his or her record. Probation can include:

• Payment of costs

• Alcohol counseling

• Staying out of trouble

Canada

The legal age for drinking in Canada is 19 years old. A 19 or 20 year old who consumes alcohol in Canada can still be charged with Minor in Possession if they enter the United States with alcohol in their blood. The legal consumption of alcohol can be an affirmative defense to the charge. Consulting an attorney to discuss this defense is advised.

Call Daniel Ambrose on his cell phone at (248) 808-3130 or email him at Daniel@ambroselawgroup.com.

Call Jill Duffy on her cell phone at (248) 736-7306 or email her at jill@ambroselawgroup.com

Minor in Possession of Tobacco

Minor in Possession of Tobacco, or MIP Tobacco, is a misdemeanor that will stick on your child’s record. Although the fine for MIP Tobacco is small ($50), it is a serious offense.

Possession of tobacco includes:

• Purchasing or attempting to purchase tobacco;

• Possession of attempting to possess tobacco;

• Use of tobacco in a public place

Typical consequences of MIP Tobacco charge:

• First Offense

• $50 Fine
• Up to 16 hours community service
• Participation in a health promotion and risk reduction program

• Second Offense

• $50 Fine
• Up to 32 hours community service
• Participation in a health promotion and risk reduction program

• Third Offense

• $50 Fine
• Up to 48 hours community service
• Participation in a health promotion and risk reduction program

Call Daniel Ambrose on his cell phone at (248) 808-3130 or email him at Daniel@ambroselawgroup.com.

Call Jill Duffy on her cell phone at (248) 736-7306 or email her at jill@ambroselawgroup.com

Shoplifting, or Retail Fraud

Many teenagers shoplift because they have no money, or because they are bored. Shoplifting, or retail fraud, is a misdemeanor in most cases. Having a conviction for retail fraud on your child’s record may make it harder for them to get a job.

First Degree, Retail Fraud

• Taking property valued at $1,000 or more

• A felony, punishable by:

• Up to 5 years in prison,

• A fine of up to $10,000

Second Degree, Retail Fraud

• Taking property valued between $200 and $1,000

• A misdemeanor, punishable by:

• Up to 1 year in jail,

• A fine of up to $1,000

Third Degree, Retail Fraud

• Taking property valued at less than $200

• A misdemeanor, punishable by:

• Up to 93 days in jail,

• A fine of up to $500

Call Daniel Ambrose on his cell phone at (248) 808-3130 or email him at Daniel@ambroselawgroup.com.

Call Jill Duffy on her cell phone at (248) 736-7306 or email her at jill@ambroselawgroup.com

Drug Crimes

Possession of Marijuana

Any amount of marijuana is illegal, and a conviction will put a misdemeanor on your child’s record that may decrease his or her chances of getting financial aid for college.

Possession of Marijuana is punishable by:

• Up to 1 year in jail,

• Up to $2,000 in fines,

• Suspension of driver’s license

The Higher Education Act denies federal loans, grants and work study opportunities to students who have a drug conviction.

Call Daniel Ambrose on his cell phone at (248) 808-3130 or email him at Daniel@ambroselawgroup.com.

Call Jill Duffy on her cell phone at (248) 736-7306 or email her at jill@ambroselawgroup.com

Related Topics

• The police are investigating my child. What can I do?
• My child has been arrested, what do I do now?
• How does a juvenile delinquency case work?
• When can my child be charged as an adult?
• Common juvenile offenses
• Holmes Youthful Trainee Act